In an interview with French broadcaster TF1 on May 13, Macron discussed new Russia sanctions and stationing French nuclear weapons in other European countries as a deterrent against Russia.
Performing their song "Bird of Pray," Ukrainian band Ziferblat passed the Eurovision semi-finals on May 13, qualifying Ukraine for the grand final on May 17.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that a Russian delegation will be in Istanbul on May 15 for direct peace talks with Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov will likely represent Russia.
The move follows Ukraine's ratification of the minerals agreement, deepening U.S.-Ukraine economic ties and signaling expanded U.S. involvement in Ukraine's long-term recovery.
"Ukraine has initiated a coordinated campaign to vilify Hungary in order to undermine our initiative to hold a poll on (Kyiv's) EU membership," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that further concessions from Ukraine during negotiations would be unreasonable if Russia continues to attack civilian targets.
U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, will travel to Istanbul for possible peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, Reuters reported on May 13, citing three undisclosed sources.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, but said both leaders are ready to fly to Istanbul if Russian President Vladimir Putin chooses to attend the talks there.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani arrives at the 2024 Ukraine Recovery Conference on June 11, 2024, in Berlin, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Italy is planning an aid package of 140 million euros ($150 million) to support the recovery of Ukraine's infrastructure, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said on June 11 at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin.
The funds will be allocated for Ukraine's "infrastructure, railways, healthcare, agriculture, and mine clearance," and 45 million euros ($48 million) of that will be used for the reconstruction of Odesa, the minister said.
The world's government and business leaders, as well as representatives of international organizations and civil society, have gathered in the German capital for a two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference.
The event is attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who used the opportunity to call on international partners to provide further air defenses and energy aid to help the country withstand Russian attacks on the energy infrastructure.
Speaking at the conference, Tajani said that Italy and Ukraine will sign a cooperation memorandum today, June 11.
The minister also confirmed that Italy is preparing a military aid package that will include a new SAMP/T air defense system in addition to the one provided last year by France and Italy.
Kateryna Denisova
