"(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.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) speaks to reporters outside of the White House on February 28, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images)
At least 72 U.S. senators are prepared to vote for "bone-crushing" sanctions against Russia and massive tariffs on countries supporting Moscow, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham told reporters, in comments reported by Bloomberg on May 1.
The bill would impose new penalties on Russia and slap 500% tariffs on imports from countries that buy Russian oil, petroleum products, natural gas, or uranium if President Vladimir Putin avoids serious peace negotiations to end the war against Ukraine.
"The goal is to help the president," Graham said. "I think (U.S. President Donald) Trump's the best person to achieve that goal, but these sanctions represent the Senate's view that we see the primary bad guy as being Russia."
He added that Putin "would be making a huge mistake to try to play Trump," calling the sanctions "a tool in President Trump's toolbox."
Graham, a staunch advocate of military aid to Ukraine and a close ally of Trump, said he expects sufficient support for the bill in the House of Representatives.
The announcement comes as U.S. officials intensify efforts to secure a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine. Despite promising to end the war quickly, Trump has so far avoided introducing new punitive measures against Moscow.
On April 24, after Russia launched 215 missiles and drones across Ukraine, killing at least 12 civilians and injuring 87 in Kyiv, Trump called the attack "not necessary" and "very bad timing," appealing directly to Putin with "Vladimir, Stop!" but did not outline any consequences.
Putin recently announced a symbolic "humanitarian" ceasefire from May 8 to May 11, coinciding with Victory Day celebrations.
President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected the move on April 28, calling it "another attempt at manipulation" and reiterated Ukraine's demand for an immediate, full, and unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
Kyiv accepted a full 30-day truce proposed by Washington in March, but Moscow continues to reject the plan and press forward with its offensive operations.
Tim Zadorozhnyy is a news editor at The Kyiv Independent. Based in Warsaw, he is pursuing studies in International Relations, focusing on European Studies. Tim began his career at a local television channel in Odesa. After moving to Warsaw, he joined the Belarusian opposition media outlet NEXTA, starting as a news anchor and later advancing to the position of managing editor.
Katie Marie Davies
