"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.
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.
Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva, President Volodymyr Zelensky, Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak (from left to right, front and central row) in Tirana, Albania, on Feb. 28, 2024. (Presidential Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed to hold a special Ukraine-Balkans defense industry forum to tighten cooperation and boost Ukraine's production capacities. He made the announcement during a Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit in Tirana on Feb. 28.
The event could be held in Kyiv or in one of the other capitals of participating countries, the president suggested.
Zelensky arrived in Tirana late on Feb. 27 to attend the second Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit, marking his first visit to Albania since the start of the full-scale invasion.
"We are proud that there are about 500 defense companies operating in Ukraine in different areas, and each of them adds strength. But it is not enough to win over (Russian dictator Vladimir) Putin," Zelensky said in his speech at the summit.
"We see the problems with the supply of ammunition – which are affecting the situation on the battlefield. And we are interested in co-production with you and all our partners."
Ukraine faces increasingly critical ammunition shortages as assistance from the U.S. has been delayed for months due to domestic political disputes while European allies struggle to fill the gap.
Speaking to the summit, Zelensky stressed that the "equal right of nations to security and independent choice of their destiny should be universal principles."
Ukraine's head of state appreciated the cooperation with the Balkan countries on transport and infrastructure, the joint work in the Black Sea and the Danube region in the context of food security, and support against Russian aggression.
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.
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