UN Chief Condemns Russia's Actions in Ukraine Conflict

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed a "way forward" for the Black Sea Grain Initiative to Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Russia has indicated it will not allow the deal to continue beyond May 18 unless its terms on its own grain and fertilizer exports are met. Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas expressed support for Ukraine's petition for membership into NATO and the EU "as soon as conditions allow." China announced that it “respects former Soviet countries as sovereign states [and] that common sense dictates Ukraine is sovereign because it’s a member of the United Nations.” A letter containing an unknown substance was sent to the French Embassy in Moscow on Monday.