"We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States," Zelensky said.
Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA reported on May 10 that their law enforcement sources confirmed an ongoing probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau into suspected embezzlement, money laundering and bribery.
Iran is preparing to send Russia Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile launchers, Reuters reported on May 9, citing Western security and regional officials familiar with the matter.
"Ukraine and all allies are ready for a complete unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for at least 30 days, starting as early as Monday," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote.
U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged in private that Russia is difficult to negotiate with because they "want the whole thing," referring to Ukraine, the WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the comments.
A notice about the airspace closure was published on the U.S. Defense Department's NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) website on May 10, as cited by Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming in an interview with ABC News on May 10 that it would be "an advantage" for Ukraine.
"Our involvement in the war was justifiable, and this belongs to our sovereign rights," North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said. "I regard this as part of the sacred mission we must execute for our brothers and comrades-in-arms."
"We have a plan B and a plan C. But our focus is plan A, the essence of which is to get everyone's support" for Ukraine's accession, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
Ukraine's government building in Kyiv. (Wikipedia)
Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers approved a ban on the use of software and websites from Russia and other sanctioned countries, the government announced on Aug. 16.
Kyiv had already begun blocking Russian services years before Russia's full-scale invasion. Since 2017, platforms like VKontakte, Mail.ru, Yandex, and many websites with the .ru domain have been banned in Ukraine.
The new draft law aims to introduce additional types of sanctions into Ukraine's legislation.
"Ukrainian companies will not be able to use programs created in Russia or by companies affiliated with Russia. Websites and services that threaten national security will also be blocked," Digital Transformations Minister Mykhailo Fedorovsaid.
The ban will extend to software developed by individuals or companies from sanctioned states, as well as companies with partial ownership by sanctioned countries or those controlled by foreign entities involved in "terrorist activities" or under sanctions, regardless of their country of origin.
The draft law also proposes banning access to websites owned by sanctioned individuals or organizations. The bill still requires approval by Ukraine's parliament.
"(We) are strengthening digital security and protecting Ukraine from cyberattacks," Fedorov added.
Russia has reportedly launched thousands of cyberattacks against Ukrainian organizations since the start of its full-scale invasion.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is gathering evidence on Russian intelligence hackers who were behind last December's attack on Kyivstar, the country's leading telecommunications provider, and will pass the materials to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Kateryna Denisova works as a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a news editor at the NV media outlet for four years, covering mainly Ukrainian and international politics. Kateryna holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv. She also was a fellow at journalism schools in the Czech Republic and Germany.
Abbey Fenbert
