Ukraine

European leaders in Tirana for EPC summit amid “relentless attacks” on international order

bne IntelliNews May 18, 2025

European leaders focus on continent's mounting challenges: Russia’s war in Ukraine, economic security and democratic resilience.

Russo-Ukraine Istanbul ceasefire talks break up without result

Ben Aris in London May 17, 2025

The first direct meeting between the Kremlin and Bankova for negotiations since the start of the war in Ukraine in Istanbul on May 16 ended in failure with little progress being made.

Putin slaps Zelenskiy in the face, skipping the Istanbul meeting, sending a low-level delegation in his place

bne IntelliNews May 15, 2025

Russian president Vladimir Putin was a no-show at direct talks he proposed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and sent a low-level delegation instead that didn't include a single minister, in what has been called a “slap in the face”.

EBRD2025: Ukraine prepares for peace by getting ready for war

Ben Aris in London May 15, 2025

“We keep struggling, but we are strong and now we are stronger than we were in 2022, but of course we have suffered a lot,” said Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko at a high-level panel on Ukraine.

Lula presses Putin to attend Ukraine peace talks as Russian leader sends deputies instead

bne IntelliNews May 15, 2025

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva joined the chorus of voices piling pressure on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to personally attend proposed peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, but to no avail.

EBRD2025: France pledges €10mn to repair Chernobyl shelter after drone strike

Ben Aris in London May 14, 2025

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has secured a €10mn ($10.8mn) contribution from France to help fund emergency repairs to the New Safe Confinement (NSC) structure at the Chernobyl (Chornobyl) nuclear power plant.

Ukrainian ex-convict accused of masterminding botched Lima heist

Alek Buttermann May 13, 2025

A foiled heist in the heart of Lima has exposed the operations of a foreign-led gang allegedly orchestrated by Vitaliy Zinchenko, a 42-year-old Ukrainian national with a criminal past in Peru.

EBRD cuts 2025 growth forecasts citing tariffs and global uncertainty

Clare Nuttall in Glasgow May 13, 2025

Development bank lowers forecasts for Emerging Europe, Central Asia and North Africa as slowdowns in Germany and China take their toll.

Zelenskiy to travel to Istanbul after Trump backs Putin’s offer of talks

Ben Aris in Belrin May 11, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy agreed to hold face-to-face peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on May 15.

EU leaders demand Putin end hostilities or face crushing sanctions

Ben Aris in Berlin May 11, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a rare midnight press conference on May 10 and called for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in the Istanbul format, as the key EU members of the coalition of the willing met Ukrainian President Zelinskiy.

Brazil courts Moscow with nuclear and defence pacts as Europe rallies behind Ukraine

bne IntelliNews May 10, 2025

Brazil and Russia are pursuing extensive cooperation on nuclear technology, military hardware and space exploration, as President Lula da Silva dismissed European criticism of his attendance at Vladimir Putin's Victory Day celebrations.

COMMENT: Lessons from Ukraine suggest India will not go to war with Pakistan

Ben Aris in Berlin May 10, 2025

The vast economic and demographic imbalance between India and Pakistan strongly favours New Delhi in any theoretical war between the two rivals. Yet, lessons from the ongoing war in Ukraine suggest that India cannot win a total war.

MOSCOW BLOG: A muted V-day parade on Red Square

Ben Aris in Berlin May 10, 2025

I have just been watching the Victory Day parade on Red Square. A few observations.

Lithuanian activists hand out condoms on Victory Day to prevent 'another Putin' from being born

Linas Jegelevicius in Vilnius May 9, 2025

Activists gave out condoms at the entrance to the Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius, where the city’s Russian community were marking Victory over Fascism Day.

Turkey and China could mediate Ukraine peace talks if US withdraws, Polish foreign minister says

Ben Aris in Berlin May 9, 2025

Turkey and China could act as potential mediators in future Ukraine peace negotiations if the United States reduces its involvement, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski said on May 8.

Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada ratifies US-Ukraine minerals deal

bne IntelliNews May 8, 2025

The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, approved a landmark agreement with the United States on May 8 to establish a joint reconstruction investment fund aimed at attracting global capital for the country's recovery efforts.

"We've been lost in a game of cards": the IDPs starting new lives in Ukraine's interior

Jamie Onslow in Kyiv May 8, 2025

Fighting at the front in Ukraine kills thousands each week, but behind the frontline, the war continues to shatter lives in less visible ways.

Kremlin to shut down Moscow’s internet during Victory Day parade, as Ukrainian drone attacks cause civil aviation chaos across the country

bne IntelliNews May 8, 2025

Widespread disruption is expected across Russia’s capital during the May 9 Victory Day parade after the Kremlin decided to shut down the city’s internet and SMS services for several hours.

Brazil's Lula stakes peace broker role in Moscow visit

bne IntelliNews May 6, 2025

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will arrive in Moscow later this week for talks with President Vladimir Putin and to attend Russia's Victory Day May 9 celebrations.

EU allies prepared to back Moldova’s EU accession bid without Ukraine if Hungary’s veto not lifted

bne IntelliNews May 6, 2025

EU member states most supportive of Ukraine are ready to move forward with accession talks for Moldova without Ukraine, if Hungary continues to block progress for Kyiv.

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