U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce called for "concrete proposals from both sides" in order for Washington to "move forward" in peace negotiations.
"If they speak to each other in Russian, he doesn't know what they are saying," one Western official told NBC News. Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, called Witkoff's approach "a very bad idea."
Tougher sanctions "should be applied to (Russia's) banking and energy sectors, targeting fossil fuels, oil, and the shadow fleet," the leaders of Ukraine, the U.K., France, Germany, and Poland said in a joint statement.
"Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions," Putin claimed in an address marking the end of the three-day Victory Day ceasefire. He invited Ukraine to begin talks in Istanbul on May 15.
While serving as a bishop in Peru, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, called the full-scale war "a true invasion, imperialist in nature, where Russia seeks to conquer territory for reasons of power."
Speaking to CNN on May 10, Peskov commented on the latest ceasefire proposal from Ukraine and Europe, responding that Russia needs to "think about" it, but is "resistant" to pressure.
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.
Ukrainian hryvnia, seen Aug. 12, 2023. (Adrien Fillon/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Ukraine has reduced its state debt by $9 billion after completing its external debt restructuring process, the Finance Ministry announced on Sept. 4.
Kyiv reached an agreement with some of its creditors in late July to restructure more than $20 billion in international bonds, allowing the country to avoid default and continue financing its defense against Russia's full-scale war.
The restructuring process involved the exchange of thirteen series of government Eurobonds and one series of state-guaranteed Eurobonds for Ukravtodor (Ukraine's state-owned road agency), worth about $20.5 billion, for eight new sereis of Eurobonds with a value of $15.2 billion.
According to the ministry, the savings represent "one of the largest debt write-offs in recent sovereign debt restructurings."
The restructuring effort produced a nominal reduction of 37% from the first day of the agreement and a reduction of the net present value of the debt by around 60%, at a discount rate of 14%, the ministry said.
Ukraine's debt payments are now decreased by 93%, which will save over $11 billion over the next three years. Debt servicing and repayment costs will also drop by 77% between now and 2033, saving nearly $23 billion.
"I am grateful to our investors and official sector partners for their continued support throughout the debt restructuring process," said Yurii Butsa, government commissioner for public debt management.
"The successful outcome is a testament to the constructive cooperation and shared commitment to the long-term macro-financial stability of Ukraine. ... Thus, critical resources will be directed to where they are needed most, namely security and defense."
Arseniy Yatsenyuk
