Ukrainian President Zelenskyy insists Ukraine must be involved in any peace negotiations with Russia, rejecting bilateral talks between Moscow and Washington without Kyiv's participation.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday Ukraine would not accept any bilateral agreement on its fate reached by Moscow and Washington without Kyiv's involvement, and called for Europe to have a seat at the table in negotiations to end the war.
The Ukrainian leader made the comments at a nuclear plant on his way to the Munich Security Conference, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to Russian leader Vladimir Putin Zelenskyy and announced the start of negotiations.
"We, as an independent country, simply will not be able to accept any agreements without us," Zelenskyy told reporters.
The Putin call and remarks by Trump's defence secretary, who said Kyiv cannot join NATO or that a return to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is unrealistic, have caused alarm in Europe that the White House could seek to make a deal with Russia without them.
"Today it's important that everything does not go according to Putin's plan, in which he wants to do everything to make his negotiations bilateral (with the U.S.)," Zelenskyy said.
He said it was important for the United States and Ukraine to draw up a plan to end the war before talking to the Russian side. He has been pushing to meet Trump before Trump meets Putin, although the U.S. president said on Wednesday that he was expecting to meet Putin in the future, probably in Saudi Arabia.
Ukraine has said it is working on a Zelenskyy-Trump meeting, but nothing firm has been announced so far.
Zelenskyy said he did not discuss the matter of NATO membership during his phone call with Trump, though he said he knew that the United States was against the idea.
He also tried to play down the significance of Trump calling Putin before him on Wednesday, saying it did not look like a marker of Washington's real priorities but adding that it was nonetheless "unpleasant".
Ukraine's air force reported on Tuesday that it successfully shot down two Kh-59/69 cruise missiles fired by Russia overnight in an attempt to target southeastern Ukraine.
On March 31, 2025, European diplomats met in Madrid to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine and the need for Russia to agree to a ceasefire.
Russian drones struck a military hospital, shopping centre, apartment blocks, and other targets in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, late on Saturday. The attacks resulted in the deaths of two people and injuries to at least 25 others, according to local officials and the Ukrainian military.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday that Ukraine expects a firm response from Western countries to the relentless Russian drone attacks occurring almost daily on its territory.
The Norwegian Government has decided to provide a total of NOK 3 billion in humanitarian support to Ukraine and to the refugee response in Ukraine’s neighbouring countries in 2025.
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Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Digital Development met with a delegation from Karamay, China, to discuss collaboration in cloud computing, data processing, and digital governance. Both sides shared experiences and invited each other to major IT events in 2025.
A volcano erupted south of Iceland’s capital on Tuesday, spewing lava and smoke. It triggered evacuations but did not disrupt air travel, marking the 11th eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula since 2021.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
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Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) leads in a new opinion poll, but still falls short of a parliamentary majority ahead of the May 18 snap election. The AD’s support rose to 34.4%, while the Socialist Party (PS) trails at 27.8%.
Japan is investing 802.5 billion yen ($5.4 billion) in Rapidus, a chip startup, aiming to reduce reliance on foreign chipmakers and enhance semiconductor production. The move comes amid rising tensions between the U.S. and China, emphasizing Japan’s focus on securing its chip supply chain
Yassine Cheuko, Lionel Messi's bodyguard, has been banned from guarding the footballer on the touchline during Inter Miami matches. Major League Soccer has taken control of matchday security, limiting Cheuko's role to the locker room and mixed zones.
Germany's Interior Minister Nancy Faeser claims success in tackling irregular immigration, highlighting a rise in deportations and a decrease in asylum claims. With coalition talks underway, the SPD and conservatives remain divided over immigration policy.
As the EU-Central Asia summit approaches, European experts highlight growing economic, geopolitical, and energy interests in the region. With increasing bilateral agreements and investment, Europe aims to enhance cooperation while promoting stability, trade, and regional integration.
Azerbaijan is rising as a global leader in pomegranate production and export, with Forbes highlighting its ideal climate, government support, and growing international demand. With premium-quality produce and sustainable farming, Azerbaijan is shaping the future of the global pomegranate market.
Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Digital Development met with a delegation from Karamay, China, to discuss collaboration in cloud computing, data processing, and digital governance. Both sides shared experiences and invited each other to major IT events in 2025.
A volcano erupted south of Iceland’s capital on Tuesday, spewing lava and smoke. It triggered evacuations but did not disrupt air travel, marking the 11th eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula since 2021.
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