🇫🇷 France condemns North Korea’s involvement in Russia’s war on Ukraine, calling it a blatant disregard for international law.

"This escalation poses a direct threat to European and global security. France urges North Korea to cease all support for Russian aggression," they write.

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ukraine/evenements/article/coree-du-nord-russie-reconnaissance-par-pyongyang-de-deploiement-de-troupes

⚠️ Ceasefire talks made life in Ukraine more dangerous. In 24 days of April — 848 civilian casualties (+46% YoY), 40K+ displaced, 4,694 RU missiles/drones since Trump’s “peace” call — 2x previous rate.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-cease-fire-talks.html

🇺🇸 The U.S. remains committed to mediating between Russia and Ukraine, but that could change if progress stalls — U.S. State Department.

🚨 NATO chief Rutte proposes raising defense spending to 5% of GDP — up from the current 2%. His plan: 3.5% for direct defense, 1.5% for related infrastructure like cyber and transport. A move to bridge U.S. demands and European realities.

Zelensky: Held Staff meeting on brigade supply, unit manning, and Ukraine’s missile program — goal is to speed up ballistic missile production. Russia refuses lasting ceasefire; we’ll respond on the front and inside Russian territory. The war must be felt where it began.

Kharkiv is once again being terrorized by Shahed drones.

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Russian losses per 03/05/25 reported by Ukraine's General Staff.

+1170 men
+4 tanks
+48 artillery
+1 AD system
+126 UAVs
+1 cruise missile

🇷🇺 On the night of May 2–3, Russia launched 2 Iskander-M missiles & 183 drones (Shaheds & decoys) at Ukraine. 🇺🇦 Ukrainian forces shot down 77 strike drones; 73 decoy drones failed to reach targets. Kharkiv, Sumy, Donetsk & Mykolaiv regions were affected.

🇺🇸✈️ The U.S. State Dept has approved a $310M deal for F-16 training, maintenance & support for Ukraine—including upgrades, parts, & ground equipment.

This comes days after a Trump-backed U.S.-Ukraine minerals & investment deal.

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-state-dept-oks-possible-sale-f-16-training-sustainment-ukraine-2025-05-02/

🚨 The U.S. is ready to hit Russia with new banking & energy sanctions over Ukraine—but it’s all up to Trump.

He hasn’t signed off yet. “It’s totally his call,” a U.S. official told Reuters.

https://www.reuters.com/world/exclusive-us-readies-russia-sanctions-over-ukraine-unclear-if-trump-will-sign-2025-05-02/

🚨 Zelensky warns: Ukraine cannot guarantee the safety of world leaders in Moscow on May 9 — the day of Russia’s Victory Parade. Leaders like Xi, Vucic, Fico, Lula, Lukashenko & Kim Jong Un are expected to attend.

Zelensky also refused Putin’s proposed ceasefire during the event, saying he does not want to play with Putin's proposed short truces.

🚨 Zelensky on his meeting with Trump at the Vatican: "It may have been the best conversation we've ever had." He agrees with Trump that a 30-day ceasefire with Russia is the correct first step. Zelensky also mentioned, "I raised the air defense topic, and Trump said he will work on it." On the U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, he added: "It’s beneficial to both sides, ensuring Ukraine can defend future U.S. investments."