"(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.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (R) and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, Amirkhan Muttak (L), attend the Moscow Format in Moscow, Russia, on Oct. 4, 2024. (Sefa Karacan / Anadolu via Getty Images)
Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has filed a petition with the Supreme Court requesting the suspension of the ban on dealings with the Taliban, pro-government media outlet Interfax reported on March 31.
The Supreme Court is set to review the request on April 17 in a closed session. The Taliban remains on Russia's federal list of terrorist organizations since 2003.
The Taliban, an Islamist militant group, seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces, toppling the Western-backed government.
Despite its control over the country, the Taliban-led administration has not been formally recognized by any state, including Russia, due to its failure to meet international commitments on human rights, governance, and counter-terrorism.
Russia's State Duma passed legislation in December 2024 allowing the possibility of removing organizations from the list of banned terrorist groups.
In May 2024, the Foreign Ministry and Justice Ministry submitted a report to Russian President Vladimir Putin advocating for the Taliban's removal from the list.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova defended the move as a pragmatic decision, while Putin signaled support for the measure, saying that Russia was moving in that direction but hoped the United Nations would take the lead.
Despite maintaining the terrorist designation, Moscow has expanded engagement with the Taliban, deepening trade ties and investing in Afghan infrastructure. The Taliban regularly participates in Russian economic and educational forums.
Putin has referred to the Taliban as "allies," while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called them "sane people."
The Taliban, however, continues to enforce strict Islamic law, banning women from education, restricting social interactions, and carrying out the public stoning of women to death.
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.
Tim Zadorozhnyy
