Political news from Kyiv region, government decisions and Ukraine politics
After the most massive attack on Kyiv in terms of number of damaged locations, Zakharova threatened... new attacks on Kyiv. Tykhy publicly asked: what does this even indicate — and did not rule out alcoholism.
Zelensky admits that for a long time negotiations with the United States on expanding the production of anti-ballistic systems yielded no results. Now efforts are focused on Europe — where there is already a specific project with an interception cost of up to $1 million.
The President admitted the possibility of ending active combat operations this year — if Ukraine receives security guarantees. For an economy growing at only 2% with 57% of the budget allocated to defense, the difference between "possibly" and "certainly" means years of reconstruction.
# Russia Bans Civil Aircraft Below 5,100 Meters in Moscow Airspace Starting June From June, Russia is prohibiting civil aircraft from flying below 5,100 meters in the Moscow airspace zone — spanning from the Belarusian border to Samara and Yekaterinburg. No official reason has been provided, but the timeline points to a crash near Kolomna, where air defense shot down its own light aircraft.
Washington has once again appealed to Ukraine to help ease European restrictions on Belarusian fertilizers. Sybiga responded: there will be no illusions.
# Foreigners Already Visiting Tank Graveyards in Kyiv Region While State Still Formulating Approaches. Key Question — Who and How Will Determine the Line Between Memory and Spectacle.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister has called Finland's president an authoritative diplomat capable of conducting negotiations with Russia. However, neither the mandate nor the conditions for Europe's participation in the peace process have been determined so far.
# Russia announces new "consecutive" strikes after one of largest attacks on capital, calls for diplomat evacuation A day after one of the largest attacks on the Russian capital, Russia officially announced new "consecutive" strikes and called for diplomats to evacuate. Andriy Kovalenko from the Center for Counteracting Disinformation at the NSDC explained why now and for what purpose.
Lithuanian drone detection system Sky Fortress undergoes first real-world tests a week after an actual Shahed-type unmanned aircraft entered Lithuanian airspace and went missing for five days.
# Visit of Belarusian Opposition Leader to Kyiv is More Than Symbolic Ukraine is beginning to publicly consider scenarios for its northern border in the post-Lukashenko period.
# U.S. State Department Head Admits Peace Process Has Slowed, Citing Lack of Faith in Diplomacy The U.S. State Secretary acknowledged that the peace process has stalled, attributing the slowdown to both sides placing greater faith in battlefield victories than in diplomatic negotiations. Ukraine's former foreign minister explains why Washington will remain engaged despite the challenges.
Former Foreign Minister Explains Why Beijing-Moscow Relations Are Not Dependence, but Calculated Symbiosis. And Why This Is More Dangerous Than It Appears.
On May 21, a Royal Air Force aircraft carrying John Healey lost GPS signal for three hours. This is not the first such incident — and it is the very repetition that transforms the incident into a documented strategy.
Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has revealed the mechanics of the Kremlin's tactics: involving Europe in negotiations is a way to freeze the next package of sanctions, in particular a complete ban on maritime services that could destroy Russia's shadow tanker fleet.
An adviser to the Presidential Office acknowledged that military leaders traditionally lose the first peace elections. However, voting is only possible three months after a sustainable ceasefire — which Putin has not yet allowed.
On May 25, Russia struck a civilian enterprise in Derhachi in the Kharkiv region — one episode in one of the largest combined attacks of 2025, involving 55 cruise missiles and over 290 drones.
# The Reburial of the Second Head of the OUN at NVMK Became the First Step of the State Program to Return Figures from Emigration. Next — Konovalets, Petlyura, and the Unresolved Question About Bandera.
# Azov Brigade Releases Video of New Strikes on Russian Supply Routes Near Mariupol. Why Logistics Matter and What It Changes on the Southern Front The Azov Brigade has released video footage of new attacks on Russian military supply routes around Mariupol. The focus on logistics reflects a strategic shift in combat operations on the southern front.
At least 15 drone incidents were recorded in the sky over Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania over the course of a month. The EU is responding not with sanctions — but with a visit.
Ukraine has for the first time individually sanctioned commanders of Russia's long-range aviation forces who personally deployed cruise missiles and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles against civilian targets. Simultaneously, restrictions were imposed on 29 vessels of the shadow fleet that transport weapons in violation of international prohibitions.
Britain, France, Spain, Italy, and Canada have blocked Rutte's plan to oblige Alliance members to allocate 0.25% of GDP to aid Kyiv. The seven countries that already meet this requirement voted in favor.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb has publicly confirmed his readiness to represent Europe in peace negotiations on Ukraine. The problem is that no mechanism for his delegation exists — and Moscow has already proposed its own candidate.
Oil fell 6% not because a deal was signed — but because markets believed in its possibility. However, key disagreements remain unresolved, and Iran's nuclear program remains outside the scope of the first phase.
Ukraine appointed an ambassador at large for contacts with Belarusian democratic opposition — but the key position of special representative, promised by a presidential decree, remains vacant. This is what delayed Tsikhanouskaya's first visit to Kyiv by two months.
Opposition figure arrived in Ukraine's capital amid mounting Putin pressure on Lukashenko and opened a permanent Mission of democratic forces of Belarus here — the first institutional step toward coordination between the two countries beyond diplomatic declarations.
The first visit of Belarusian opposition leader to Kyiv is more than just symbolism: Tikhanovskaya seeks institutional ties with Ukraine while Lukashenko remains Putin's ally.
The United States and Iran have agreed on general principles of a deal, but Trump has publicly urged his negotiators not to rush. This reflects pressure from Republican hawks, Netanyahu's skepticism, and a key question — Tehran's nuclear program.
The Guardian spoke with sources from Putin's inner circle, business circles, and Western intelligence agencies. The picture they paint is not a harbinger of a coup, but a symptom of a system beginning to devour itself.
Russia used 90 missiles and 600 drones — more than Ukraine's air defense can intercept simultaneously. The main target was Kyiv, where 30 buildings were damaged and one of the capital's oldest markets was set on fire.
On May 24, Macron called Lukashenko for the first time since the start of the full-scale invasion — and warned about the risks of Belarus being drawn into the war. The call did not occur in a vacuum: Minsk has been conducting parallel negotiations with Washington for the past year on lifting sanctions in exchange for the release of political prisoners.