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."
"We have a plan B and a plan C. But our focus is plan A, the essence of which is to get everyone's support" for Ukraine's accession, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
"(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."
President Volodymyr Zelensky holds a phone call with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Jan. 29, 2024. (Volodymyr Zelensky / X)
Ukraine's allies must respond decisively to Russia's continued strikes against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an address on March 29.
Two people were killed and 25 were injured in a Russian drone attack against Kharkiv late on March 29. Another four were killed and 30 injured in Russian strikes across Ukraine the day prior.
Zelensky decried the strikes not only for targeting civilians in Ukraine but for undermining international efforts to establish peace in Ukraine.
"Our partners should clearly understand: these strikes are not just attacks on Ukrainian civilians, but also on all international efforts — on the very diplomacy we are trying to use to end this war," Zelensky said.
Ukraine's allies must pressure Russia to stop its strikes against Ukraine with a significant response to uphold the international rules-based order, he said.
"We expect a response — a serious one. We are working toward a response. A strong response is urgently needed — above all from the U.S., from Europe, from everyone in the world who has placed their bets on diplomacy. Russia must be forced into peace – only pressure will work."
Zelensky condemned Russia for its continued strikes against Ukraine, adding that Russia launched attacks against various cities, including Dnipro and Kryvyi Rih.
"Last night alone, Russia launched 172 strike drones — over 100 of them were Shaheds. These massive drone attacks have now become a near-daily reality. On top of that, there are continued missile threats, including ballistic ones," Zelensky said.
The U.S. has held peace talks with Ukraine and Russia in separate meetings in recent weeks, resulting in an agreement for a partial ceasefire that Kyiv has already accused Moscow of breaking.
Pressure on Russia is the only way to achieve a meaningful ceasefire, Zelensky said.
"For far too long, the U.S. proposal for an unconditional ceasefire has been on the table – without a proper response from Russia. That says a lot. There could already have been a ceasefire — if there had been real pressure on Russia," Zelensky said.
Ukraine has already agreedto a U.S.-proposed full 30-day ceasefire, saying on March 11 that Kyiv is ready if Russia also agrees to the terms. So far, Moscow has refused.
Russia targeted energy infrastructure in Kherson on March 27, despite Zelensky saying a temporary ceasefire on energy infrastructure has been in place since March 25, and Russia claiming its side of the deal has been in place since March 18.
Volodymyr Ivanyshyn is a news editor for The Kyiv Independent. He is pursuing an Honors Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto, majoring in political science with a minor in anthropology and human geography. Volodymyr holds a Certificate in Business Fundamentals from Rotman Commerce at the University of Toronto. He previously completed an internship with The Kyiv Independent.
Alex Cadier
