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.
"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.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced shortly after midnight on Sept. 18 that Usyk had been released following the intervention of Ukraine's Foreign Ministry. He also said he spoke to Usyk by phone while he was detained.
"I was outraged by this treatment of our citizen and champion," Zelensky said.
The arrest resulted from "a misunderstanding," Usyk wrote in an Instagram post after his release.
"There was a misunderstanding that was quickly resolved," he said.
"Thank you to everyone who was worried. I thank Ukrainian diplomats for their support. And respect to the Polish law enforcement officers who perform their duties despite their height, weight, arm span, and regalia."
Usyk's wife, Kateryna Usyk, earlier wrote on social media that the arrest was not related to anything criminal.
"Everything is fine, nothing criminal," she said.
On the instructions of Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine's Consul General in Krakow went to the airport to intervene on Usyk's behalf, ministry spokesperson Heorhy Tykhyi said in a statement.
"The Ukrainian side categorically rejects the attitude to its citizen and champion demonstrated in the video," Tykhyi said.
Sybiha reportedly appealed to his Polish counterpart to resolve the situation.
Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
