Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on May 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky rebuked the idea of a demilitarized zone in the war and emphasized the importance of first securing a ceasefire.
"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."
Visitors look at closed McDonald's and KFC restaurants at the Aviapark mall, May, 24, 2022, in Moscow, Russia. (Konstantin Zavrazhin/Getty Images)
The U.S. fast food giant McDonald's has submitted an application to the government agency Rospatent to register its trademark in Russia, the Russian state news outlet RIA Novosti reported on April 26.
McDonald's closed its restaurants and left the Russian market entirely in 2022, following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to Russian media, McDonald's submitted the application in December 2024, and Rospatent has now accepted it for consideration.
The registration is not a sign that the company intends to re-enter Russia, McDonald's said in a statement to the Ukrainian outlet Economic Pravda.
"We are doing this to protect our brand and prevent third-party businesses or individuals, particularly in Russia, from using our trademarks to their advantage," the company said.
Other major U.S. corporations have made similar moves. In summer 2024, Coca-Cola and Starbucks applied to re-register their trademarks in Russia, saying it was a necessary step to preserve intellectual property rights.
In the wake of the 2022 invasion, McDonald's shut down its 847 restaurants in Russia, taking a financial hit of $55 million per month before exiting the Russian market. Western businesses have left Russia in droves amid the full-scale war, though some major firms still maintain their operations in the country.
McDonald's continues to operate 109 restaurants across Ukraine.
Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.
Kateryna Hodunova
