"(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.
Ahmed al Sharaam Syria's newly named transitional president, speaks during a joint press conference with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati (not seen) following their meeting in Damascus, Syria on January 11, 2025. (Foreign Desk Syria/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin held his first official phone conversation on Feb. 12 with Syria’s new leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad.
The Kremlin described the discussion as “constructive and business-like,” covering trade, education, and other areas of cooperation, with both leaders agreeing to maintain dialogue.
Syrian television reported that al-Shaara reaffirmed Syria’s strategic ties with Russia and expressed willingness to engage with all parties that could contribute to security and stability.
Putin allegedly offered to help with the country's economic situation and invited Syria’s foreign minister to visit Moscow.
The call came after a Russian delegation visited Damascus, marking the first such trip since Assad was ousted and granted asylum in Russia.
Following the overthrow of Assadin December, Russia began withdrawing assets from Syria, raising doubts about the future of its military presence in the country.
Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra stated on Feb. 6 that Russia's ability to retain its naval base in Tartus and airbase in Khmeimim will depend on what Moscow offers in return.
Russia deployed troops to Syria in 2015 to support Assad's brutal crackdown against opposition forces. With Moscow's backing, Assad's regime imprisoned, tortured, and killed hundreds of thousands of Syrians.
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.
Chris York
