11:10 EU Adopts Framework for Imposing Sanctions on Russia's Oppressors

11:10 EU adopts framework for imposing sanctions against Russia's oppressors

The foreign ministers of 27 EU countries are creating a new legal framework to penalize severe human rights violations in Russia following the death of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny about three and a half months ago. This framework will permit the imposition of sanctions against those responsible for suppressing opposition.

Germany is providing extra humanitarian aid to individuals in eastern Ukraine, which is under Russian control. A total of 60 million euros, mainly for the eastern region, will be given according to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. She described the occupied territories as lacking any form of life, stating that people have been suffering under Russian control for over two and a half years. The German government is working with international actors to provide assistance to the region.

Lithuania accuses Hungary of deliberately obstructing all EU attempts to aid Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis declared that the EU must find a way past this blockade. Hungary has been strongly against any efforts by the EU to impact their foreign policy. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also urged Hungary to drop their opposition to additional EU military aid for Ukraine. She stated her urgency in requesting that Hungary permit support for Ukraine in their goal to maintain peace.

Spain is expected to supply Ukraine with Patriot missiles, 19 Leopard tanks, equipment for countering drones, and ammunition for their air defense system. This military aid is part of the 1.13 billion euro package announced last month and will likely be revealed during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Madrid, where he will meet with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe. Spain has not commented on the report. Ukraine has recently received Leopard tanks from Germany.

09:09: A Ukrainian drone attack resulted in a fatality in Russia, as reported by Russian sources. A gas station in the Russian city of Liwny was hit and an administrative building was damaged. A fire truck driver was unfortunately killed in the second drone attack. The Russian Defense Ministry claims that a dozen Ukrainian drones were neutralized overnight, including six in the region of Orjol.

08:35: German military expert Nico Lange believes Russian missile strikes on a printing house and a hardware store in Kharkiv constitute new war crimes. "By solely supporting Ukraine, we are inadvertently encouraging Russia to commit more war crimes rather than preventing them," statements Lange.

07:59: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on his re-election. "Your sincere support for Ukraine is invaluable," expressed Zelensky. Lithuania has been a strong ally of Ukraine.

07:19: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has a lengthy and unfruitful history in negotiations with Russia. "The primary issue is that Russia never negotiated with an honest intent, unless forced to," remarked Kuleba on the platform X. Russia has weakened the peace process with 200 rounds of talks between 2014 and 2022 while starting a "total war against Ukraine," further stated Kuleba. A collective effort by the entire international community to establish true peace is the only solution, according to Kuleba. "Therefore, the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland on June 15 and 16 is crucial. It's critical for as many nations as possible to participate."

06:36: What is happening on Russian-controlled land near the Ukrainian border?

09:09: Ukraine attacked Russian territory using drones

A drone assault on a gas station in the Russian city of Orjol precipitated one death and injured three, reported Russian sources. The incident occurred in Liwny, a city about 160 kilometers behind the Ukrainian border. An administrative building was also damaged during the attack. A second drone attack happened after the emergency crew arrived, resulting in the death of a rescue truck driver. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that twelve Ukrainian drones were deactivated overnight, with six in Orjol.

08:35: Lange: "We encourage Russia to commit more war crimes, instead of deterring them"

Russian missile strikes on a printing house and a hardware store in Kharkiv are considered new war crimes by military expert Nico Lange on the platform X. "If we solely support Ukraine, we're subconsciously pushing Russia to commit additional war crimes rather than stopping them," Albers observed.

07:59: Kuleba: Russia has undermined the peace process despite 200 rounds of talks

Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, has an extensive background in talks with Russia that have failed to produce any meaningful results. "The main issue is that Russia has never negotiated in good faith unless it was compelled," Kuleba noted. Ukraine has been severely impacted by Russian aggression, and Kuleba sees a concerted global effort as the only solution to lasting peace. "The June 15-16 peace summit in Switzerland is crucial, and it's essential for as many countries as possible to take part in this endeavor," added Kuleba.

06:36: Lithuania blames Hungary for impeding EU help for Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis accuses Hungary of instituting a systematic blockade against EU efforts to assist Ukraine in its battle against Russian aggression. He urged the EU to find a strategy to circumvent this, viewing it as a sustained effort to impede EU influence in foreign policy. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also appealed to Hungary to lift their ban on further EU military aid for Ukraine, emphasizing the necessity of fostering peace.

09:09: A Ukrainian drone attack on a gas station in Russia occurred, resulting in fatalities and injuries. The Ukrainian military allegedly launched a second drone attack on the site, causing the death of a Russian firetruck driver.

08:35: Military expert Lange calls Russian strikes on an Italian printing house and hardware store in Kharkiv new war crimes. Lange argues that supporting Ukraine will inadvertently encourage Russia to commit additional atrocities rather than deterring them.

07:59: Zelensky congratulates Nauseda on re-election as Lithuanian President

In a statement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his delight at Lithuania's re-election of Gitanas Nauseda. He thanked him for his constant support of Ukraine through the difficult years.

07:19: Kuleba discloses his experiences with Russia in negotiations

Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, shares his experiences in diplomatic negotiations with Russia. He claimed the ongoing Russian invasion has taken place despite numerous conversations since 2014, totaling 200 rounds. Kuleba observed that Russia always entered negotiations without good faith or intention unless compelled. He believes that a collective effort at generating peace is the only solution.

06:36: The current state of affairs regarding Russian territory near the Ukrainian border

Russian military forces are allegedly amassing along the Ukrainian border, approximately 90 kilometers from Kharkiv, as reported by Ukrainian President Zelensky. This likely aims to lure and engage Ukrainian troops, while simultaneously readying for aggressive operations to broaden Russia's influence in the border region, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The ISW has scrutinized satellite photos from the Graiworon-Borissowka-Proletarski area in the western Belgorod area, suggesting that Russian soldiers have recently stepped up activity at repositories and storage depots in nearby settlements. The extent of the possible Russian troop buildup remains unclear, per the US think tank.

Vitali Klitschko laments the attack on a hardware store in Kharkiv that resulted in numerous casualties, expressing frustration on platform X: "These Ukrainians were killed by Russian bombs because we didn't have enough air defense. When will countries with Patriot systems act?" Klitschko goes a step further, proposing that Western allies should be authorized to bomb Russian targets on Russian soil. "The planes that drop bombs on our citizens take off from Russian airfields. We need to destroy these planes before they reach Ukraine," he proclaims.

Kharkiv faces yet another air raid alert in the southern region of Ukraine. The Ukrainian military is monitoring the presence of a stealth bomber Su-57 over the Black Sea, as well as warning concerning the potential launch of cruise missiles.

Following the deadly bombing in Charkiw, Zelensky calls for the right to use Western weapons against Russian territory. He acknowledges the mass condemnation of Putin's Russia and pleas for action, emphasizing, "It is important that this condemnation leads to appropriate consequences." Zelensky requests not only advanced air defense systems, but also the authority to unleash Western arms on Russian targets, explaining, "We see every concentration point of Russian troops. We know all the launch areas from which Russian rockets and fighter jets are fired." He urges a political decision to allow preventive attacks on Russian forces before they launch an assault on Ukraine.

Four civilians have reportedly lost their lives due to Russian shelling in the Donetsk region. Authorities in both the Donetsk region and Kharkiv region confirm one death apiece.

Today, President Zelensky will travel to Spain. The Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will welcome him for a meeting at noon, and a press conference is scheduled to follow. Zelensky had originally planned to visit Spain on May 17th but canceled due to the unrest in the Kharkiv region.

French President Emmanuel Macron urges continued support for Ukraine and warns against succumbing to Russian aggression, stating, "Standing on the side of peace today means giving power to the law. Peace is not capitulation. Peace is not the task of principles." Macron added that Germany and France would highlight this stance in the upcoming tete-a-tete Defense and Security Council session on the 10th of May. "We will help Ukraine to resist, to exhaust, to train, and prepare for all scenarios to build a lasting peace - a peace respecting international law."

Russia's former President, Dmitry Medvedev, replies harshly to Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski's speculation about the United States' possible involvement in the event of a Russian nuclear strike on Ukraine. Medvedev threatens on X, "Moscow will not be exempt from retaliation, and Warsaw will certainly receive its share of radioactive ash. Is that what you want?"

Finally, President Zelensky makes his first public statement to media in Central Asia, including journalists from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan. While addressing the possibility of a ceasefire with Russia, he declares, "I see no chance for an agreement."

9:40pm Putin touches down in Uzbekistan for state visit

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his way to Uzbekistan for an official trip. Russian news outlets confirm his arrival. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev greeted Putin at the Tashkent airport. Mirziyoyev, who's held office since 2016 and presides over a population of 37 million people, will discuss Russian-Uzbek relations and regional issues with Putin during their two-day stay. The Kremlin plans to sign a "comprehensive package of bilateral documents" following the visit.

10:20pm No substantial gains by Russian troops, says Ukrainian General Staff

Despite their "maximum effort", the Russian forces have yet to make any substantial progress, claims the Ukrainian General Staff. In an update posted on social media, they mentioned 83 skirmishes with the Russian troops on Sunday. They announced that "the Ukrainian troops are taking required measures to hold their positions and neutralize the enemy's offensive strength." Though no significant changes occurred in the direction of Kharkiv, the Russians continue their offensives near Vovchansk and Lyptsi.

9:00pm Protesters vent their frustration in front of the US Embassy in Kiev

Ukrainians demonstrate in front of the US Embassy in Kiev, sparked by concerns over restrictions on using Western weapons to strike Russian territory. Their numbers are estimated at around 150, says reporter Stephan Richter from NTV. They demand an end to the restrictions.

8:40pm Georgians take to the streets of Tbilisi to celebrate Independence Day

Tbilisi welcomed thousands of protesters during their annual Freedom March on May 26, the Georgian Independence Day. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) details this event. Participants displayed both Georgian and EU flags, rallied behind slogans criticizing "foreign influence" legislation, and shone their phones' flashlights while yelling "No to Russian law!" and "No to the Russian regime!" Earlier in the day, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili addressed the Freedom Square in Tbilisi, highlighting the menace of Russian influence.