"(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.
Ukraine and Somalia formally established diplomatic ties during the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkey on April 11, 2025. (Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha / X)
Ukraine and Somalia formally established diplomatic ties on April 11 during the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkey, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced.
"I signed relevant protocol with Somalia's State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ali Mohamed Omar," Sybiha wrote on X.
"We appreciate Somalia's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."
The move marks a significant expansion of Ukraine's diplomatic outreach in Africa, where Kyiv has sought to build new partnerships amid Russia's attempts to bolster its influence across the continent.
Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, has voiced consistent support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. Ukraine, in turn, has extended humanitarian assistance to Somalia through its "Grain from Ukraine" initiative, aimed at countering food insecurity in vulnerable regions.
The establishment of diplomatic relations reflects mutual interest in deeper cooperation as Ukraine works to broaden its global coalition in support of its resistance to Russian aggression.
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
