"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."
"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.
European Council President Antonio Costa, President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on March 6, 2025. (Olena Zashko/The Kyiv Independent)
President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Brussels on March 6 to attend an emergency EU summit, which was called to discuss further support for Ukraine and Europe's efforts to boost its own defense capabilities.
The meeting comes amid seismic geopolitical shifts as U.S. President Donald Trump cut off military aid for Ukraine while renewing ties with Moscow, casting doubt on his commitment to Kyiv's and Europe's security.
European leaders are expected to discuss the European Commission's ReArm plan, which would free up billions of euros for defense investments.
The topic of Europe's military assistance for Ukraine, even more crucial now amid the U.S. pause, is also expected to be on the agenda. It is unclear whether the EU will be able to move forward with new commitments to Ukraine as Hungary's Moscow-friendly leader, Viktor Orban, promised to block military aid.
European Council President Antonio Costa, President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on March 6, 2025. (Olena Zashko/The Kyiv Independent)
European Council President Antonio Costa, President Volodymyr Zelensky, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on March 6, 2025. (Olena Zashko/The Kyiv Independent)
Ukrainian flags being put up beside EU flags at the start of the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, on March 6, 2025. (Olena Zashko/The Kyiv Independent)
"A stronger European defense is a boost for Ukrainian defense, and a stronger capacity of Ukraine's defense is also important (for boosting) our own defense," European Council President Antonio Costa said during doorstep comments beside President Volodymyr Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"This is a watershed moment for Europe... Europe faces clear and present danger," von der Leyen said, stressing that EU countries need the capability to protect themselves as they push for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
"And this is the reason why I present today to the leaders the ReArm Europe plan. The ReArm Europe plan provides up to 800 billion euros ($860 billion) for defense investment," von der Leyen said.
Zelensky thanked the European leaders for their "strong support" for Ukraine.
"You made a strong signal to Ukrainian people, to Ukrainian warriors, civilians, to our families, and it is great that we are not alone. We know it, and we feel it," he said.
Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner. Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.
Oleg Sukhov
