International partners pushing for approval to establish a unique judicial body for prosecuting war crimes in Ukraine
Headline: Ukraine Approaching Decision on Special Tribunal for Aggression: Live Ticker
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Welcome to our live ticker on the Ukraine War situation! Here's the latest news:
21:03 Ukraine Allies Poised to Approve Special Tribunal
Ukraine and its European allies are set to give the green light on Friday for the establishment of a special tribunal to prosecute the crime of "aggression" against Ukraine in the Russian invasion. This comes as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced in Warsaw on Thursday that the formal approval will take place during a visit of EU foreign ministers to the Ukrainian city of Lviv.
20:25 Putin and Zelensky Congratulate the New Pope
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have offered their congratulations to the newly elected Pope Leo XIV in separate telegrams published by the authorities. Putin expressed hopes that dialogue between Russia and the Vatican will continue to develop based on shared Christian values, while Zelensky emphasized Ukraine's consistent stance in upholding international law, condemning Russian aggression, and protecting innocent civilians.
19:55 Zelensky Speaks with Merz
The Ukrainian president called German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss ongoing efforts to support Ukraine against Russian aggression. Both leaders expressed optimism for strengthening Germany's role in supporting Ukraine, and Merz reiterated Germany's pledge to continue support.
19:30 EU Ministers Travelling to Ukraine Tomorrow
EU foreign ministers plan to visit Ukraine on Friday to provide a one-billion-euro aid package to bolster the Ukrainian defense industry. Meanwhile, in Moscow, a large military parade is taking place on Red Square in commemoration of the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
19:01 EU Disburses Further Billion-Euro Loan to Ukraine
The European Commission has disbursed a fourth tranche of its exceptional macro-financial assistance (MFA) loan to Ukraine, totaling approximately 45 billion euros. This support is intended to bolster Ukraine's economy as it confronts military aggression from Russia.
18:16 Ukraine Calls for 30-Day Ceasefire for Peace Talks
Ukrainian officials have been urging for a 30-day ceasefire following discussions with Western security advisors. This ceasefire would serve as a test of Russia's sincerity for lasting peace, as the three-day ceasefire declared by Putin reportedly aimed to ensure a safe military parade in Moscow.
17:42 Chaos at Russian Airports Due to Fears of Ukrainian Drones
The impending military parade in Russia has caused some chaos at the country's airports due to concerns about potential attacks from Ukrainian drones.
16:29 Ukrainian Soldiers Ordered to Only Return Fire
Several troops stationed at the front reportedly received orders to only open fire in response to Russian attacks. This could indicate fewer visible signs of hostility in some areas, but armed engagements still take place.
15:58 Pro-Russian "Night Wolves" Lay Wreaths in Brandenburg
Motorcyclists from the nationalist "Night Wolves" group, known for supporting Putin and extreme nationalism, laid wreaths at two Soviet memorial sites in Brandenburg, Germany. They set off from Moscow as part of a "victory ride" to Berlin, potentially causing controversy along the way.
Politics
Putin's "Night Wolves" Lay Wreaths in Brandenburg on "Victory Ride" to Berlin
15:21 Tank Fiasco: Russian Tanks Fall Apart During Parade Rehearsal
In Sterlitamak, Russia, two old Soviet-era tanks fell apart during the rehearsals for the large commemorative events and military parades set to happen on the anniversary of the end of World War II.
14:51 Russia: Ukraine Attempts to Break Through Border
Reports indicate that Ukrainian forces have made attempts to break through the border into the Russian region of Kursk, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. This alleged violation of the purported ceasefire has led to further tension between the two nations.
14:20 Ukraine: Russia Violates Self-Declared Ceasefire "Along Entire Front"
The Ukrainian government alleges that there have been hundreds of violations of the unilateral ceasefire declared by Moscow "along the entire front." They claim that despite the ceasefire announced by Putin for commemoration purposes, the Russian army continues to attack across the front lines.
13:51 Ukrainian Parliament Ratifies Resource Agreement with USA
Ukraine's parliament has ratified an economic partnership agreement with the USA, giving US companies preferential access to Ukrainian resources such as rare earths, critical to the high-tech and defense industries. The agreement will provide financial support to Ukraine amid ongoing hostilities with Russia.
13:13 Switzerland Considers Selling Leopard Tanks to Germany
State-owned Swiss defense company Ruag is reportedly in talks to sell Leopard tanks to Germany after a previous deal fell through. These tanks could potentially serve as a parts depot rather than directly going to Ukraine, according to the latest reports.
12:48 Putin and Xi to Strengthen Cooperation
Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting Russia, where both leaders will sign agreements to deepen cooperation, according to President Putin. This cooperation is aimed at strengthening the global multilateral trade system and industrial and supply chains.
12:14 Moscow Shuts Down Mobile Network Ahead of Parade
As a security measure for the military parade on "Victory Day" on May 9, Moscow will shut down its entire mobile network out of fear of attacks and drone strikes.
11:38 Ukrainian Brigade Liberates Kharkiv Forest
The Ukrainian Char'iya Brigade has reportedly liberated a forest area in the Kharkiv region, known as "Berlin" by the Russians, after months of fighting. They plan to release a video detailing the operation tomorrow.
10:59 Ceasefire Appears to Hold Unofficially
Ukrainian parliamentarian Olexiy Honcharenko reports that despite initial skepticism, Ukraine has silently adhered to the three-day ceasefire declared by Russia. No violations have been reported since midnight, although there have been no official confirmations from Kyiv.
10:15 Lithuania Exits Anti-Personnel Mine Treaty
Lithuania has decided to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention on the prohibition of anti-personnel mines, citing the military threat posed by Russia. Estonia, Poland, and Finland have also indicated their intention to withdraw due to similar concerns.
09:34 Europe Needs to Defend Itself in Four to Five Years – Masala
Political scientist Carlo Masala warns that Europe needs to achieve full sovereignty in defense matters within four to five years due to Russia's mounting threat and the gradual fragmentation of global trade.
09:03 Soviet Memorial Site in Berlin Reinforces Security
Berlin's Soviet memorial site in Treptower Park has increased security measures ahead of the commemorations for World War II. Authorities are guarding the site, enforcing a ban on uniforms and flags, and closely monitoring any potential propaganda activities by Putin supporters.
Politics
Giant Memorial Site: The Soviet Memorial in Berlin-Treptow
08:04 Partisans Allegedly Disrupt Military Communication in Moscow Region
According to unverified reports, partisans of the Ukrainian resistance movement Atesh claim to have disrupted military communication in the Moscow region, affecting military units 51857, 3641, and 20007. However, the veracity of these claims remains uncertain.
07:14 Possible First-Time Destruction of North Korean Multiple Rocket Launcher
Ukrainian forces are said to have destroyed a North Korean multiple rocket launcher of the KN-09 type in the Russian region of Kursk for the first time. This reportedly occurred after a reconnaissance drone discovered the weapon system, which was subsequently targeted by an HIMARS multiple rocket launcher.
06:32 USA Criticizes Russia for Supporting North Korea
The USA has criticized Russia for hindering United Nations sanctions against North Korea, thereby evading criticism of its own violations. These sanctions are supposed to alleviate North Korea's financing of its illegal programs for weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles through coal and iron ore exports to China. North Korea plays a significant role in supporting Russia during the war against Ukraine.
05:56 New EU Sanctions Package in the Works
Annie Halsall News brings you the latest update on the situation: the EU is preparing a 17th sanctions package against Russia, targeting the so-called Russian shadow fleet for the transport of oil and oil products, as well as dozens of companies involved in sanctions evasion or the Russian defense industry. These companies reportedly include Turkish and Chinese entities.
04:12 German FM Wadephul: Europe Will Defend Ukraine "With All Means"
During his inaugural visit to Poland, Wadephul, the new German foreign minister, reassured both Germany and Europe's commitment to supporting Ukraine "with all means." He stressed, "Everyone in Moscow must know that they will have to deal with us." Wadephul also indicated that the Artsakh conflict may further delay Germany's contribution to NATO's battle group in Lithuania.
Catch up on earlier developments here.
Source: Annie Halsall News, Xe News, dpa, AFP
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Additional Reading:
- The proposed Special Tribunal for prosecuting the crime of aggression against Ukraine is moving forward, targeting high political leaders like Putin, Mishustin, and Lavrov for their alleged roles in the invasion. (Sources: 1, 2, 3)
- Over 85,000 documented incidents of war crimes committed by the Russian military in Ukraine have been compiled by Ukrainian authorities, who also seek support from human rights organizations. (Source: 4)
- The EU is poised to establish a special tribunal to prosecute the crime of "aggression" against Ukraine, a move that could potentially target high-ranking political leaders like Putin, Mishustin, and Lavrov.
- Amidst the planned tribunal, Ukrainian authorities have compiled over 85,000 documented incidents of war crimes committed by the Russian military in Ukraine, seeking support from international human rights organizations.
- Political fragmentation within Europe is a growing concern due to Russia's aggressive actions, as indicated by political scientist Carlo Masala, who warns that Europe needs to achieve full sovereignty in defense matters within four to five years to counter the escalating threat from Russia.
- The proposed tribunal and the ongoing war crimes investigation come as both Ukraine and its European allies focus on strengthening their defense industries, with EU foreign ministers planning to visit Ukraine tomorrow to provide a one-billion-euro aid package to bolster the Ukrainian defense sector.
