"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."
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.
Audience applauds to President Volodymyr Zelensky following his speech at the Munich Security Conference on Feb. 15, 2024. (Olena Zashko/The Kyiv Independent)
President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Europe to create its own armed forces amid uncertainty over further U.S. support against potential Russian aggression.
"Let's be clear: We cannot rule out the possibility that America may refuse to cooperate with Europe on issues that threaten it," Zelensky said on Feb. 15 during his speech at the Munich Security Conference.
"Many leaders have talked about Europe needing its own army. An army of Europe. I really believe that the time has come. The armed forces of Europe must be created," Zelensky added.
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized European NATO members for not spending enough on defense and said that Washington wouldn't defend Europe in case of Russian aggression.
Following Washington's calls, only Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, some of Ukraine's closest allies, have announced spending increases in the wake of new potential threats for Europe.
During his speech, Zelensky said that defense spending is important, but it is impossible to defend the states with these expenses alone.
"It is no more complicated than standing firm against Russian attacks, as we have already done. But it is not just about increasing defense spending as a percentage of GDP. Of course, we need money, but money alone cannot stop the enemy's advance," Zelensky said.
"Without the Ukrainian army, European armies will not be enough to stop Russia. This is the reality. Only our army in Europe has real, modern warfare experience," he added.
"As we fight this war and lay the groundwork for peace and security, we must build the armed forces of Europe so that Europe's future depends only on Europeans, and decisions about Europe are made in Europe."
Zelensky previously said that Russia was possibly preparing for a major military escalation, potentially targeting NATO countries next year.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Zelensky said that Russia plans to deploy 15 divisions, totaling 100,000 to 150,000 troops, primarily in Belarus, a Kyiv Independent journalist reported from the event.
Kateryna Hodunova is a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a sports journalist in several Ukrainian outlets and was the deputy chief editor at Suspilne Sport. Kateryna covered the 2022 Olympics in Beijing and was included in the Special Mentions list at the AIPS Sport Media Awards. She holds a bachelor's degree in political journalism from Taras Shevchenko University and a master's degree in political science from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
Chris York
