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Russia-Ukraine war Highlights: UNHRC to hold special session on Ukraine on Thursday, says official
Russia-Ukraine war HIGHLIGHTS: In another development, 60 people died after a Russian bomb hit a school being used as a shelter in the eastern village of Bilohorivka, Ukrainian officials said. The death toll was confirmed by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Russia-Ukraine war highlights: Amid the ongoing war with Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin is leading anniversary celebrations of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany. The celebrations are taking place even as Russian forces fight Ukrainians in one of the deadliest European conflicts since the end of World War Two 77 years ago. Putin is expected to flaunt his military might during the symbolically important event. In another development, nearly 60 people died after a Russian bomb hit a school being used as a shelter in the eastern village of Bilohorivka, Ukrainian officials said. The death toll was confirmed by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “appalled” by the reported school bombing and called it another reminder that “it is civilians that pay the highest price” in war. Meanwhile, after holding talks with Zelenskyy via video conference Sunday, the G7 leaders – the group comprising Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States – pledged to phase out dependency on Russian energy, including phasing out or banning the import of oil.
...Read MoreBiden signs measure speeding up US weapons deliveries to Ukraine
President Joe Biden on Monday resurrected a World War II measure used to boost US allies fighting Nazi Germany, allowing the government to accelerate weapons shipments to Ukraine for its battle against Russia's invasion.
Biden signed the Lend-lease Act in the Oval Office, saying the United States supports Ukrainians' "fight to defend their country and their democracy against (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's brutal war."
He also signaled that he is ready to make a political concession in Congress so that he can win rapid approval of a request for another $33 billion in funds for supporting Ukraine.
Ukraine EU bid could take 'decades', warns Macron
France's President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said it would take "decades" for a candidate like Ukraine to join the EU, and suggested building a broader political club beyond the bloc that could also include Britain.
The idea immediately found favour with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who described it as a "very interesting suggestion" that he was "very pleased" to discuss with the French leader.
Ukraine, which is battling Russia's invasion, is seeking EU membership, and the European Commission has said it will respond to the request next month -- a key step before the issue is taken up by member states.
White House say no trip to Ukraine for Biden for now
The White House has said that US President Joe Biden will not be visiting the war-torn Ukraine anytime soon, news agency Reuters reported.
US says Putin claim of defensive war 'patently absurd'
The United States said Monday that President Vladimir Putin was "absurd" and insulting history by casting Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a defensive operation on the anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany.
"To call this a defensive action is patently absurd," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters. "It is an insult to those who have lost their lives and those who have fallen victim to this senseless oppression."
Pakistan likely to revive defence trade with Ukraine
With the Imran Khan government, seen as pro-Russia, out of power, the new Pakistan government, under PM Shehbaz Sharif, is likely to revive defence trade with Ukraine, according to reports in Pakistani media.
US to suspend tariffs on Ukrainian steel
The commerce department of the US government has announced it will suspend tariffs on Ukrainian steel for one year due to the damage caused to the industry as a result of the ongoing invasion by Moscow.
On Thursday, UNRHC to hold special session on Ukraine
A special meeting to discuss the current situation in Ukraine, including reports of mass casualties in Mariupol, take place on Thursday: Rolando Gomez, spokesperson, UNHRC
Support for Finland joining NATO jumps to record 76%: Poll
Support for Finland potentially joining NATO in wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine has risen to a record 76%, as against 53% and 62% in February and March, respectively, a poll by Finnish public broadcaster YLE shows.
Missile strike during European Council chief's visit to Odessa
European Council president Charles Michel ‘forced to take cover’ during a missile strike in southern Ukraine's Odessa, says official.
Russia holding ‘storming operations' at Azovstal plant: Ukraine
Backed by tanks and artillery, Russian forces conducting "storming operations" on the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, says Ukrainian defence ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk.
'Will respond to Ukraine's EU membership bid in June'
On Europe Day, we discussed EU support and Ukraine’s European pathway. Looking forward to receiving the answers to the EU membership questionnaire. The European Commission will aim to deliver its opinion in June: Ursula vonder Leyen, president, European Commission
Paint thrown at Russian ambassador in Poland
Protesters in Poland's capital Warsaw throw red paint on Sergey Andreev, Russia's ambassador to the country, at a cemetery in Warsaw where he arrived to pay respects to Red Army soldiers who died during World War II.
Russia says needs ‘more specifics’ for in-person talks with Ukraine
Peace talks with Ukraine have not stopped, and are going on remotely. Moscow needs more specifics on hand in order to meet in person: Vladimir Medinsky, Kremlin's chief negotiator
Russian generals should face ‘court martial’: UK defence secretary
Russian generals should face court martials for their country's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, says UK's defence secretary Ben Wallace, as Russia observes annual Victory Day.
Sweden's decision on NATO membership on May 15, says ruling party
On May 15, there will be a decision for the party leadership to take a position on: Social Democrat party
Ukraine's militray says four missiles have hit Southern Ukrainian region of Odesa
Ukraine's militray says four missiles have hit Southern Ukrainian region of Odesa, reports Reuters.
Putin says Russia's military action in Ukraine necessary response to Western policies
Putin says Russia's military action in Ukraine is a timely and necessary response to Western policies, reports AP.
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'Russia has enough missiles and munitions'
Russia has enough high-precision missiles and ammunition to fulfil all the tasks assigned to the country's armed forces, the Interfax news agency quoted deputy prime minister Yuri Borisov as saying on Monday. This came amid reports that Russia was running out of precision guided munitions.
Ukraine won't allow Russia to 'appropriate' WWII victory over Nazism: Zelenskyy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that Ukraine would not allow Russia to appropriate victory in World War II. "Today we celebrate Victory Day over Nazism. We are our proud of our ancestors who together with other nations in the anti-Hitler coalition defeated Nazism. And we will not allow anyone to annex this victory. We will not allow it to be appropriated," Zelensky said, adding that: "We won then. We will win now". Read more
Victory Day parades begin in Russia
Victory Day parades begin in Russia shadowed by war in Ukraine.
Zelensky felicitates Ukraine's heroic mine sniffing dog for dedicated services amid war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday awarded the medal of 'Excellence in Service' to Ukraine's famous four-legged friend Patron.
Ukraine warns Russian missile strikes likely
Ukraine’s military is warning that there is a “high probability of missile strikes” amid Russia’s war on the country. The warning came Monday just ahead of Russia’s planned Victory Day parade in Moscow, AP reported.
Canada to help Ukraine find options to export grain to ease supply worries
Canada will help Ukraine work out options on how to export stored grain to uphold global food security that has been shaken by Russia's invasion of the country, news agency Reuters quotes Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as saying on Sunday.
U2 singer Bono performs at Kyiv metro station amid war: ‘A beautiful day’- Watch
Paul David Hewson, better known as ‘Bono’ - the lead singer of popular band U2 - on Sunday gave a heartwarming performance at a metro station in Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv, winning online and offline praise. Read more
Japan PM says phasing out Russian oil to take time
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said it would take time to phase out imports of Russian oil, hours after he joined other Group of Seven leaders to impose a ban on crude over the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.
