"(T)he presence at the Victory Parade of a country that bombs cities, hospitals, and daycares, and which has caused the deaths and injuries of over a million people over three years, is a shame," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
"According to the participants of the performances, their goal is to remind the civilized world of the barbaric actions of Moscow, which for many years and decades has systematically violated international law," a source in Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent.
"I have great hope that an agreement for a ceasefire in Ukraine will be reached this weekend," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 9, shortly before traveling to Kyiv alongside the leaders of France, Poland, and the U.K.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will arrive in Kyiv early on May 10.
The United States embassy in Kyiv on May 9 issued a warning that Russia could launch "a potentially significant" attack in the coming days, despite Putin's self-declared Victory Day "truce."
The sanctioned oil tankers have transported over $24 billion in cargo since 2024, according to Downing Street. The U.K. has now sanctioned more shadow fleet vessels than any other country.
Washington and its partners are considering additional sanctions if the parties do not observe a ceasefire, with political and technical negotiations between Europe and the U.S. intensifying since last week, Reuters' source said.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski speaks during a press conference. Press conference of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland Radoslaw Sikorski and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Espen Barth Eide. During a press conference, the ministers discussed support for Ukraine, including military and economic assistance and reconstruction plans. Security issues were also discussed, such as sanctions against Russia and Belarus, hybrid threats, disinformation and defense cooperation within The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). (Photo by Marek Antoni Iwanczuk/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Poland’s Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski criticized Hungary on April 14 for being the only EU member state lacking "moral clarity" on Russia’s war against Ukraine.
After the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting earlier that day, Sikorski noted that many foreign ministers called for stronger sanctions against Moscow in response to recent attacks on Ukrainian cities including Sumy and Kryvyi Rih.
"But we know we have one country – Hungary – that lacks the moral clarity we have in light of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s attacks. He (Putin) talks about peace while bombing civilians and killing children,” he said, as reported by the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
Sikorski also condemned Hungary’s continued blocking of military aid for Ukraine and delaying EU accession talks, saying that trying to negotiate with Budapest is "like talking to a brick wall."
Hungary maintains positive relations with Russia in contrast with other EU members.
Sonya Bandouil is a North American news editor for The Kyiv Independent. She previously worked in the fields of cybersecurity and translating, and she also edited for various journals in NYC.
Sonya has a Master’s degree in Global Affairs from New York University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Houston, in Texas.
Tim Zadorozhnyy
