355 drones and nine cruise missiles have been, according to Kiev's denouncement, the projectiles launched by Russia last night in what seems to be its worst attack of this war in Ukraine. "He has gone completely crazy," Trump wrote on his social media referring to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Words that have not been well received in Moscow, although the Kremlin attributes them to "an emotional overload" of the US president.
From Europe, Kiev's allies emphasize that Trump seems to have realized "the lies" of Putin and urge him to impose sanctions. Moscow, on the other hand, does not take it personally and hints that it is still working on a memorandum as part of the peace plan that Washington has promoted.
Putin will meet with Turkish Minister Fidan in the Kremlin to discuss Ukraine and Gaza
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, will receive Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, in the Kremlin on Monday, as reported by the Kremlin. Fidan, who is in Russia on a working visit, will meet with Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Dmitry Peskov, presidential spokesman, announced in his daily telephone press conference.
Peskov specified that, although bilateral relations will top the agenda of the talks, the Ukrainian crisis will be "obligatorily" addressed. Istanbul hosted the first round of direct negotiations between Russians and Ukrainians since April 2022 on May 16. In this regard, Fidan stated that "Turkey advocates for a 'fair and lasting peace' for the conflict in Ukraine and that Ankara is willing to play an important role as a mediator."
Merz asserts that Kiev has permission to attack Russian targets with German weapons
German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, mentioned on Monday that Germany is among the countries that no longer impose the condition on Ukraine of not using its weapons against military targets located in the Russian rear, a step that was already taken at the end of 2024 by countries like the UK, France, and the US.
"Ukraine can now defend itself, also, for example, by attacking military positions in Russia," Merz stated during the European Forum of the WDR television network, although he evaded the question of whether his government will deliver long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine as promised before becoming chancellor. "There are no longer any range limitations on the weapons supplied to Ukraine, neither from the British, nor the French, nor us, nor the Americans either," he pointed out.
Some time ago, Ukraine was not in a position to attack the Russian rear, and only did so exceptionally, but now it is capable, Merz pointed out, speaking of a "qualitative difference" in the way both sides wage the war.
Denmark denounces that Russia is not interested in peace
Russia's attacks on Ukraine over the weekend demonstrate that Moscow is not interested in peace, Danish Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, declared on Monday.
"During the day, Putin talks about negotiations, and at night, he bombs Ukraine," Frederiksen told the press at a meeting of Nordic leaders in Finland. Frederiksen said that the Nordic leaders had agreed that "their countries would support Ukraine for as long as necessary," adding that support could mean military assistance, investments in Ukraine's defense industry, and cooperation with Ukrainian companies.