Greece said it is not considering sending advanced air defence systems to Ukraine following negotiations by the Trump administration for more weapons for Kyiv.
A Greek official denied that Patriot systems will be moved amid claims that Western allies were discussing a package of new aid ahead of the Nato summit in late June.
Reports circulated on Sunday that the US was pushing for more defensive weapons for Ukraine after signing a minerals deal and putting pressure on Vladimir Putin to agree to a peace deal.
Ukraine has urgently sought more Patriot systems, with president Volodymyr Zelenskiy saying his government would purchase 10 of the US-made systems if possible. Ukrainian analysts estimate the country currently operates seven batteries.
The New York Times reported on Sunday that Washington plans to send Ukraine a Patriot system previously based in Israel, with ongoing discussions about Germany or Greece potentially providing another.
Mr Zelensky discussed air defence capabilities with Donald Trump during a meeting at Pope Francis’ funeral, which he described as their most productive encounter.
The Kremlin confirmed on Monday that Vladimir Putin has no planned trips to the Middle East in mid-May, responding to speculation about a possible meeting with Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said a meeting between the two leaders is “necessary” but would require proper preparation and “continued contacts between Moscow and Washington.”
The statement follows Trump’s weekend remarks that he and his advisors have had “very good discussions” about Russia and Ukraine in recent days.
Three police officers were killed on Monday in a shoot-out in the southern Russian region of Dagestan, regional authorities said.
Slovak prime minister Robert Fico has criticised Volodymyr Zelensky for warning foreign leaders against attending Russia’s May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow.
Mr Fico dismissed the warning as an attempt to intimidate foreign delegations into boycotting the event.
“I reject such threats for security reasons,” Mr Fico said. “If Mr Zelensky thinks his words will deter foreign leaders from attending, he is gravely mistaken.”
Mr Zelensky said on Saturday that Ukraine could not guarantee the safety of officials attending the celebration, suggesting Russia might orchestrate provocations like “arsons, explosions, or other actions” and blame Ukraine.
Western allies are reportedly discussing supplying Ukraine with more Patriot air defence systems before the Nato summit in late June.
The United States and Greece are amongst potential suppliers of these missile defence platforms.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has emphasised the urgent need for more Patriots, saying last month that his government was ready to purchase 10 of the US-made systems.
Ukraine currently has around seven Patriot batteries, according to Ukrainian defence express military analysts.
Patriots have proven essential for Ukraine’s defence against Russian missile strikes targeting infrastructure and civilian areas throughout the war.
Julie Davis has been appointed as charge d’affaires to Ukraine, the US state separtment announced.
“President Trump and Secretary Rubio have identified Ambassador Julie Davis to serve as the charge d’affaires in Kyiv,” said State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
We are pleased to welcome new Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Julie S. Davis to Kyiv. Following the historic Ukraine Reconstruction Fund Agreement signing, Ambassador Davis arrives in Ukraine at a critical time to carry forward President Trump’s policy to end the war and ensure lasting… pic.twitter.com/IIrC0x6OCI
Ms Davis assumed her duties on Monday and will lead the US diplomatic mission until a permanent ambassador is nominated. She replaces Bridget Brink, who was appointed during the Biden administration.
A career diplomat with 30 years of experience, Davis previously served as ambassador to Cyprus and special envoy to Belarus.
Lithuania will invest €1.1 billion (£937m) to fortify its borders with Russia and Belarus, the Baltic nation’s defence ministry announced on Monday.
The Nato member said €800 million will be spent on anti-tank mines as part of efforts to “block and slow down the actions of hostile states.”
Earlier this year, Lithuania joined Finland, Poland, and other Baltic states in withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention that prohibits anti-personnel mines.
The defensive preparations will focus on the Suwalki Gap, a 70-kilometre corridor connecting the Baltic states with Poland.
The strategic strip of land lies between Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus.
Plans include deepening irrigation ditches to serve as trenches, reforesting border areas, planting trees along roads, and deploying electronic warfare systems and anti-drone technology.
In January, Lithuania announced it would increase defence spending to five to six percent of GDP annually from 2026 to 2030.
The Baltic states fear they could be targeted by Moscow if Russia succeeds in its war against Ukraine.
Ukrainian-born Russian journalist Ekaterina Barabash has fled to France with assistance from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), she announced Monday at a Paris news conference.
Ms Barabash, 64, who faces up to 10 years in prison in Russia for criticising the war in Ukraine, said her journey lasted about two-and-a-half weeks but provided few details about her escape.
She was arrested in February on charges of spreading “false information” about the Russian armed forces through social media posts
Russian authorities reported her missing in April. Reporters Without Borders smuggled her out of Russia.
Born in Kharkiv during the Soviet era, Barabash had written for several news outlets including Radio France Internationale’s Russian service.
In March 2022, she wrote that Russia had “bombed the country” and “razed whole cities to the ground.”
Russia has cancelled its planned Victory Day military parade in Sevastopol, Russian state media reported on Monday.
Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev cited safety concerns as the reason for cancelling the May 9 event, which commemorates the Soviet victory in World War II.
The decision follows a Ukrainian sea drone strike that destroyed a Russian Su-30 fighter jet near Novorossiysk on May 2.
The $50 million (£37.6m) aircraft reportedly crashed into the sea after the attack, which Ukraine’s military intelligence described as the first time a sea drone has downed a jet.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Ukraine cannot guarantee safety for foreign officials attending Russia’s main Victory Day parade in Moscow.
Mr Zelensky said Russia could attempt to blame Ukraine for any security incidents.
Sevastopol, a major naval base, has been under Russian control since Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Ukraine attacked Moscow with drones as the capital prepares for Victory Day celebrations with world leaders including Chinese president Xi Jinping.
Russia said it intercepted 26 drones and Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said no injuries or damage resulted from the falling debris from four near the city.
The drone activity temporarily disrupted air travel, with flights halted at Domodedovo Airport for around 1.5 hours “to ensure air safety,” according to Russia’s aviation authority.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters that Kyiv “cannot be responsible” for what happens on Russian territory during the upcoming World War II commemorations.
Vladimir Putin has declared a three-day ceasefire for May 8-10 marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet and allied victory. Mr Zelensky responded by calling for a more substantial halt to hostilities in the war.
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