Newsletter 08/05/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
TOP
Zelensky: As Ukraine keeps fighting for its life, Moscow hosts “parade of bile and lies”
Putin’s ‘parade ceasefire’ proves to be farce – Ukraine’s FM
Despite Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin’s announcement of a “ceasefire,” Russian forces continue their offensive along the entire frontline, and Ukraine is sharing all relevant information about ceasefire violations with its international partners.
“I just spoke with Ukraine's military command, who provided information about the frontline situation. Predictably, Putin's "Parade ceasefire" proves to be a farce,” said Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha.
Ukrainian Parliament ratifies Ukraine-U.S. minerals deal
On May 8, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported draft law No. 0309 "On the ratification of the Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Government of the United States of America on the establishment of the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund."
“It is important for us that the agreement is balanced. And we managed to make the deal equitable. Now there is no mention of debts, there is only a direction, a focus on the development of investments and investment projects in Ukraine. No side has an advantage, there is no dictate from any side, and the decision shall be made by consensus,” Svyrydenko said.
U.S. Treasury chief tells Congress he sees Putin as “war criminal”
When Congressman Juan Vargas asked Bessant if he considered Vladimir Putin a war criminal, the secretary briefly replied: "Yes."
After that, Vargas asked Bessent if he would negotiate with a war criminal. In response, the American secretary said he believed this was "the nature of diplomacy when you have to negotiate with both sides."
Bulgarian Foreign Ministry rejects Putin's accusations of escalating conflict in Ukraine
Bulgaria has reacted sharply to statements voiced by Russian President Vladimir Putin in a propaganda documentary that Romania and Bulgaria allegedly contributed to the tensions that eventually led to the war in Ukraine by allowing American military bases on their territory.
War
Fighting on front ongoing despite Russia’s declared “ceasefire” – military
Russian invading forces continue assaults and shelling in Donetsk region despite a declared ceasefire, with battles ongoing in the Pokrovsk, Toretsk, Lyman, Novopavlivka, and other sectors.
"Right now, Ukrainian forces are engaged in defensive battles. Russian troops are trying to launch assaults west of the town of Pokrovsk, east of the urban agglomeration — specifically along the Pokrovsk–Kostiantynivka highway — and slightly southward to reinforce their efforts...”,- this was reported live on television by Major Viktor Trehubov, Spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group of Troops.
Russians change assault tactics near Chasiv Yar, toward Kostiantynivka – military
War update: Almost 200 clashes along frontlines, situation tense in Pokrovsk axis
AFU destroy new Russian Vozrozhdenie MLRS by FPV drones in Novopavlivka area
Russian shelling of Ukrainian military facilities caused environmental damage worth UAH 367 B - DM
Defense
Germany delivers another defense aid package to Ukraine
The list includes, in particular, 66 mine-resistant armored personnel carriers (MRAP), four kinetic protection vehicles, three Zuzana-2 wheeled howitzers (a project jointly funded by Denmark and Norway).
The batch also includes missiles for IRIS-T SLM air defense systems; ammunition for LEOPARD-2 main battle tanks, almost 40,000 rounds for GEPARD self-propelled guns, 27,000 155 mm artillery rounds; and 1,000 122-mm rounds.
Netherlands, Romania to train Ukrainian F-16 technicians
“The Netherlands, together with Romania, are training F-16 pilots for Ukraine and Romania. We have also agreed on joint training of technical personnel for servicing F-16 fighters. In addition, I am visiting our military from the MQ-9 unit (unmanned aerial vehicles). Many thanks for their efforts!” the statement says.
Humanitarian mission buses damaged in Kharkiv region as result of Russian strike
Russian drone attacks car in Kupiansk, wounds two utility workers
Politics
Seven European foreign ministers recall lessons of WW2 amid peace talks on Ukraine
“We offer the lessons from World War II that must be taken into account if we want to create lasting peace in Ukraine, rather than a pause before the next potentially disastrous global conflict,” the article says.
Lithuanian Seimas adopts resolution not recognizing seized territories of Ukraine as Russian
No seizures of Ukrainian territory carried out or continuing to be carried out by the Russian Federation shall be recognized by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania, either de jure or de facto,” the resolution states.
Kallas confirms EU foreign ministers’ visit to Ukraine on May 9
European top diplomats will visit Ukraine on May 9 to discuss support for the defense industry and agree on the political conditions for the establishment of the International Tribunal for the Punishment of War Crimes and the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
Ankara plans to urge Kyiv and Moscow to begin negotiations, prepares “diplomatic contacts” – media
Poland aims to finalize 17th EU sanctions package against Russia by end of its EU Council presidency
Trump announces conversation with Zelensky after Ukraine ratifies minerals deal
Chief Rabbi of Ukraine discusses U.S. assistance with Witkoff, other officials
“I am convinced that words that come from the heart enter another heart. I’m doing everything I can — and even what I cannot — with God’s help,” said the spiritual leader of Ukraine’s Jewish community.
Azman stressed that his goal is to “open the world’s eyes to the truth” about Russia’s war against Ukraine and called on people to “not abandon Ukraine and continue to support it.”
Earlier, he had released a song-message to U.S. President Donald Trump titled "Donald Trump, it’s time to fight in the name of Light."
Economy
Ukraine’s international reserves reach $46.7B as of May 1
“Preliminary data showed that, as of May 1, 2025, Ukraine’s international reserves stood at USD 46,683.1 million after increasing by 10.2% in April. This uptrend was driven by large inflows from international partners on the one hand, and lowest net FX sales by the NBU since April 2024 on the other,” the report states.
Ukraine receives another EUR 1B from EU under ERA program
"Ukraine has received EUR 1 billion from the EU under the ERA program. These funds are backed by profits from immobilized assets of the Russian Central Bank. We will direct this money toward covering critical budget expenditures and strengthening our state," Shmyhal wrote.
Japan hands over transport infrastructure inspection equipment to Ukraine
In particular, the Ukrainian side received high-precision equipment to inspect transport infrastructure, primarily destroyed bridges, as well as special-purpose vehicles that will be used to inspect national roads. Attachments to such vehicles are also expected to be provided.
Society
On May 8, Ukrinform opens exhibit of archival photographs of post-war Kyiv
47% of Ukrainians have positive expectations from US fossil fuel agreement
“The results of the survey show that Ukrainians currently have mostly positive expectations of the fossil fuel agreement, with a minority having negative expectations. Moreover, we also see that among those who trust well-known public figures, in particular leaders of the political opposition, positive expectations from the agreement also prevail. The exceptions are supporters of Boyko and (to a lesser extent) of Arestovych,” KIIS emphasized.
Almost 280,000 civilians remain in Donetsk region
“More than 1 million 221 thousand civilians have already been evacuated in the region since the beginning of the evacuation measures. Of these, about 190,600 are children and 46,500 are people with disabilities. This is the data as of yesterday. And about 280,000 civilians remain in the region controlled by the Ukrainian authorities,” Petlin said.