All articles tagged with #zelenskyy
President Zelenskyy urged European Union leaders to begin Ukraine’s formal accession process now, arguing that associate membership would be unfair and leave Kyiv voiceless. The push follows shifts in Hungary that had blocked entry, while Kyiv wages a war with Moscow, reporting territorial gains and calls for diplomacy even as both sides strike energy infrastructure and repeat warnings of retaliation for attacks.
Zelenskyy recalled telling U.S. officials he needed ammunition, not evacuation, during the Kyiv siege as Washington offered to pull him out; the claim—first reported by the Associated Press in 2022 from a single intelligence source—drew White House pushback and denials, but went viral and was later corroborated via a Ukrainian embassy tweet. The AP and Zelenskyy’s camp stand by the quote amid ongoing scrutiny from fact-checkers, illustrating the friction between wartime reporting and government pushback while the war persisted.
A large-scale Ukrainian drone attack hit the Moscow region, killing at least three people. Russia said air defences intercepted 556 drones with a further 30 shot down later. Zelenskyy called the strikes a justified response and said long-range attacks had reached the Moscow region.
Zelenskyy says Ukraine is entirely justified to retaliate against Russia’s oil industry and military production after Kyiv’s attacks, warning of further strikes and possible Belarus involvement, while the digest also covers US troop realignments in Europe, reassuring Polish security, and broader European political and security developments.
Ukraine officials say Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff Andriy Yermak has been named a suspect in a money-laundering investigation; the probe is ongoing and no charges have been announced yet.
Putin presided over a lean Victory Day parade in Moscow as a U.S.-brokered three-day ceasefire in Ukraine held, enabling a 1,000-prisoner swap from each side; Zelenskyy thanked Trump for coordinating the talks, while both sides have previously accused each other of ceasefire violations.
Ukraine’s president said Kyiv will not attack Moscow to permit a temporary ceasefire and a swap of about 1,000 Ukrainian prisoners, framing Red Square as less important than freeing detainees. The deal comes as Russia trims Victory Day parades for security reasons, amid drone incidents and mounting concern over the war, while peace talks remain stalled and Putin leverages the parade for show of strength.
President Donald Trump announced a three-day ceasefire from Saturday to Monday between Russia and Ukraine to facilitate a 2,000-prisoner swap, mediated by the United States. Zelenskyy quickly expressed support and urged Washington to ensure Russia upholds the deal, noting past truces have fallen apart. Trump framed it as a step toward ending the war, with talks continuing.
Zelenskyy says Kyiv will decide its responses tonight and tomorrow after Russia rejected Ukraine’s ceasefire proposals and renewed attacks, warning Moscow it will respond in kind; Russia’s alleged truce breach comes as both sides plan ahead of Victory Day and Kyiv hints at possible strikes beyond Russia’s borders.
Hungary handed back €35 million, $40 million, and 9 kilograms of gold seized from Ukraine’s state-bank convoy, a sign of warmer ties after Viktor Orbán’s departure and Péter Magyar’s victory; Zelenskyy called it an important step, and Kyiv noted a constructive approach, while Hungary has moved to drop its veto on a large EU loan to Ukraine and eased tensions over the Druzhba oil pipeline.
President Zelenskyy released new footage of Ukraine’s homegrown FP-5 Flamingo missiles taking off and reportedly flying over 1,500 kilometers to strike a military-industrial complex in Cheboksary, Russia, with officials saying the target supported naval navigation and weapon production; Russian reports of casualties accompany limited external verification of the strikes.
Zelenskyy condemned Russia’s bid for a ceasefire to stage a Moscow Victory Day parade after overnight strikes killed five Ukrainians—including three Naftogaz workers and two emergency responders—and left dozens injured, calling it utter cynicism. Russia announced a unilateral ceasefire for Victory Day, while Ukraine offered a reciprocal 24-hour pause if Moscow stops firing, warning Kyiv could disrupt the parade without an agreement. In Poltava, the attack cut gas supply to about 3,500 people; Ukraine has stepped up long‑range strikes on Russian targets as battlefield gains stall, and Moscow says it has downed hundreds of drones. The day’s developments underscore the political theater of the parade amid ongoing war.
Armenia hosted the European Political Community summit and EU-Armenia talks, signaling a turning point as Yerevan moves closer to the EU and Ukraine; Moscow rebuked the shift and Russian state media criticized the visit after Armenia’s CSTO departure and hints of EU membership. Zelenskyy’s first Armenian visit in 24 years focused on restoring dialogue, expanding economic ties, and security cooperation, including plans to resume the Joint Intergovernmental Commission in Kyiv, while discussions about future talks with Putin and Russia’s role in the region continued amid Armenia’s still-present Russian defense commitments (Gyumri base).
Ukraine’s president Zelenskyy suggested Kyiv could deploy drones to disrupt Russia’s May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow, after the Kremlin announced a tank- and missile-free display and tightened security. Kyiv has been striking inside Russia, including recent attacks near the Kremlin, while Moscow braces with added air defenses and communications restrictions ahead of the holiday.
Leaders from nearly 50 countries, including Canada as a guest, gather in Yerevan for the eighth EPC summit to discuss unity, stability, and evolving geopolitics, while Armenia seeks closer EU ties and diversification away from Russia.