Weekly Exclusives
Weekly Exclusives - a newsletter that contains author publications, interviews, exclusive comments, photos and videos.
Photos of the week
Ukraine continues to resist a full-scale Russian invasion. Ukrinform photojournalists capture life during the war. Participants of the World Embroidery Day event carry a towel to Freedom Square, Kharkiv, May 15, 2025.
Interview
Refat Chubarov, president, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People
Under no circumstances must Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity be compromised; for us, liberation of Crimea amounts to restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity
Then, unexpectedly, a few weeks ago, Crimea found itself in the spotlight when U.S. President Donald Trump entered the information space with his proposals to drive an end to the war in Ukraine.
One of the proposals that shocked many was to recognize Crimea as Russian territory. Moreover, it was not clear from the wording in the press who exactly is supposed to recognize this: the USA alone? Or Ukraine as well should recognize this? Or should this be recognized on a broad international level? This remained behind the scenes, but the proposal itself, such a vision, such an approach has caused a political storm.
Publications
As predicted, the aggressor is trying to play for time. We are waiting for Europe's response and for the content of the announced "memorandum". But it looks like it is going to be long waiting...
"The coming week will be decisive in the context of the conflict in Ukraine,” Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission said during a meeting with U.S. Vice-President J.D. Vance in Rome for the enthronement of Pope Leo XIV. This is how she described the events in anticipation of the Trump-Putin telephone talk. Late on Monday, May 19, U.S. president Donald Trump had a telephone conversation with president Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation - not the first one during Trump’s second term in office, but perhaps one of the most important in a symbolic and strategic sense. Read
Putin needs no memorandum or negotiations to end war – Kyslytsya
"When dealing with Russians, you can't expect to be in a civilized environment where people genuinely want to hear your arguments and make decisions based on thoughtful analysis. No, we're dealing with the dynamics of a completely irrational dictatorship, where everyone is desperate to prove their loyalty and blindly follows every instruction. Putin started this war, and with a single phone call to his Chief of the General Staff, he could end it," Kyslytsya said.
According to him, it is clear that Putin is deliberately dragging things out, making it difficult to predict when meaningful negotiations might resume.
"The next stage of talks will only happen when the conditions are right on both sides. In the meantime, Ukraine is in constant dialogue with its partners — the president, his office, and the foreign minister are speaking with dozens of international partners every day, because one of the most crucial objectives is maintaining unity, especially among our European allies," the diplomat said. Read
The International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine
Old Fox used to be a military reservist in his native Romania. However, more than a year ago, he came to Ukraine to share the knowledge he gained in a NATO state army. With several wars under his belt, the legionnaire is willing to pass on his expertise to recruits. Old Fox gained his first combat experience during the Bosnian War three decades ago. Comparing that conflict with the Russian-Ukrainian war, the combat medic notes…
How archival mistake plays into hands of Russian propaganda
If you search "deportation of Crimean Tatars” on Google, one of the top results is a photo widely believed to show the events of 1944. In reality, the image has nothing to do with the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people. Read
News:
War
Austrian expert says Russians are buying time, have not abandoned their military goals
Politics
Europe, Canada must stop relying on US, say former NATO officials
Chubarov: World unsure how to handle aggressor in UN Security Council
Ukraine – DR Congo cooperation could be ‘Klondike’ for both countries – Ambassador
Ukrainian Ambassador to DR Congo: ‘I’m here to stop Russia’s spread in Africa’
Ambassador: Meeting between presidents of DR Congo, Ukraine being prepared
Economy
Businesses’ old external loan debts hit about $21B – NBU Governor
Over 800,000 t of grain shipped via Chornomorsk Port since early 2025
Society
Students of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv are being trained for resistance
A rally was held in Turkey to mark the 81st anniversary of the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people
The tradition of bell-ringing of the St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery was included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage
See you next Friday!