Ukraine

Hundreds of Ukrainian men have blocked the passport office in Warsaw amid the suspension of consular services abroad for men aged 18-60, which has drawn criticism from a military commander who accused them of shirking their duties while others are fighting at the front.

The Verkhovna Rada plans to consider a draft law providing social support for children affected by Russia's full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine, but concerns are raised about the lack of financial justification for providing adequate assistance.

Men of conscription age (18-60 years old) will not be able to obtain passports at Ukrainian diplomatic missions abroad, only on the territory of Ukraine.

Qatar acts as an intermediary in the return of Ukrainian children and negotiations with Russia, said Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, and emphasized that there have been no direct talks with Moscow.

More than 600 trucks crossed the Yahodyn-Dorohusk border crossing point per day, where automatic license plate recognition cameras are being tested ahead of the system's rollout to other checkpoints.

The Verkhovna Rada plans to consider a draft law on the creation of a State Register of Persons Affected by Russia's Armed Aggression against Ukraine, which will include registration of citizens whose lives and health have been harmed, exchange of information between state systems, and accounting for costs associated with providing assistance to affected citizens.

In March, the United States secretly provided Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles as part of a $300 million military aid package, which were allegedly used by Ukraine to strike a Russian airfield in Crimea on April 17.

President Zelensky thanked the United States for a new $1 billion aid package that includes Atacams, artillery, anti-tank weapons, missiles for HIMARS, air defense systems, and other necessary equipment to protect Ukraine from Russian attacks.

The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak, discussed with the US National Security Advisor the importance of US assistance to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, including the recently approved $61 billion aid package.

Zelenskiy called on foreign ambassadors to spread the truth about Russian terror in Ukraine and help strengthen Ukraine's air defense, as Ukraine does not have enough weapons to protect lives compared to Russia's ability to destroy.

Italy's National Cybersecurity Agency recorded a 29% increase in cyberattacks in 2023 compared to 2022, with 248 of the 319 attacks related to the war in Ukraine being carried out by pro-Russian hacker groups.

According to intelligence reports cited by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russia has a specific plan to disrupt the Peace Summit and prolong the conflict.

The United States has announced a new $1 billion package of military assistance to Ukraine, including artillery shells, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, HIMARS missiles, air defense missiles, anti-aircraft missiles, small arms, ammunition, armored vehicles, and anti-tank systems.

US President Joe Biden has assured that he will expedite the submission of documents to the relevant authorities to send missile systems and weapons to Ukraine as part of a $61 billion package of military and economic assistance to Ukraine and US allies.

The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said that the US decision to provide military assistance to Ukraine demonstrates the common commitment of the EU and Washington to support a free and independent Ukraine integrated into the Euro-Atlantic community.

Russia will sell gas to China at a price almost 30% cheaper than to Europe at least until 2027, according to the forecast of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.

Hugo Boss is leaving russia, selling its business to wholesale partner Stockmann, ending its presence in the country after suspending operations following russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian parliament has passed in the first reading a bill that will make the Diia. city more accessible to startups, including small tech companies, by providing access to the best tax rates in Europe and tools for scaling and attracting investment.

President Joe Biden signs a bill to provide aid to Ukraine.

The U. S. could transfer aid to Ukraine within days of Congressional approval and President Biden's signature, the Pentagon said.

Germany and the United Kingdom plan to intensify cooperation, including joint support for Ukrainian helicopters, weapons, maintenance, and training, to strengthen Ukraine's military-industrial base.

Pope Francis urged pilgrims to pray for peace in war-torn Ukraine and the Middle East, deploring the deaths of young soldiers and the suffering caused by the conflicts.

The Verkhovna Rada has registered a resolution to dismiss Mykola Solsky from the post of Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine after he was suspected of seizing state land worth UAH 291 million and attempting to seize another land worth UAH 190 million.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that Europe should continue to increase aid to Ukraine even after the approval of a large aid package from the United States, but he maintained his refusal to send long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Ukraine needs to achieve military success and build a coalition in support of Zelenskyy's peace formula to force Putin into serious negotiations.

Ukraine plans to create a unified system of care for the wounded based on NATO standards, modernize tactical medicine, update training, and take into account the combat experience of Ukrainian medics since 2014.

The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted as a basis the government's draft Law "On Citizens' Appeals" aimed at improving the legislation on citizens' appeals and bringing it in line with the Law "On Administrative Procedure".

Ukraine has suspended consular services for men abroad, calling it fair because, according to Foreign Minister Kuleba, "the guys in the trenches are very tired" and some are "sitting in restaurants.

Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with a U. S. Congressional delegation in Kyiv to discuss urgent needs for military assistance, the dynamics of the fighting, and Ukraine's progress in liberating the occupied territories from russia.

Russian Deputy Defense Minister Timur Ivanov was arrested for high treason after the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine gained access to his confidential information through a cyberattack.