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."
Eugene Vindman, a Democratic candidate for Virginia's 7th congressional district, shakes hands with voters on June 8, 2024. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/the Washington Post via Getty Images)
The Trump administration's foreign aid freeze impacted programs supporting the prosecution of Russian war crimes and the restoration of Ukraine's energy infrastructure after attacks, Ukraine-born Democratic Congressman Eugene Vindman said on Feb. 4, Ukrinform reported.
Vindman's comments come days after billionaire Elon Musk claimed he had President Donald Trump's approval to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Shortly after taking office, the Trump administration effectively froze almost all foreign assistance for 90 days, halting USAID-funded projects worldwide while reviewing expenditures.
Speaking at the Ukraine Week event in Washington, Vindman noted that the cuts include suspending U.S. assistance in war crimes investigations and halting support for international experts assisting in the process.
Programs aimed at rebuilding Ukraine's infrastructure and power grid, damaged after Russian attacks, have also been suspended, Vindman said while calling on the administration to lift the restrictions.
USAID, the U.S. government's primary foreign aid agency, has provided over $37 billion in support to Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, including $2.6 billion in humanitarian aid, $5 billion in development assistance, and over $30 billion in direct budget support.
The White House declared on Feb. 3 that "under President Trump, the waste, fraud, and abuse ends now," accusing USAID of misusing taxpayer funds on supposedly "ridiculous" projects. The listed "waste and abuse programs" did not include anything related to Ukraine.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been named interim USAID administrator, reinforcing rumors that the agency will be merged with the State Department.
In the meantime, Ukraine's parliamentary humanitarian and information policy committee has begun consultations with European partners to temporarily replace U.S. assistance.
Vindman, a former U.S. Army officer, gained prominence as a whistleblower in the 2019 scandal involving Trump's phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky. In the call, Trump pressured Ukraine to launch an investigation into Joe Biden's family.
Vindman was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives on Nov. 6, 2024 — the same day Trump won the presidency and secured his return to the White House.
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.
Dominic Culverwell
