US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had telephone conversations with new German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Foreign Secretary David Lemmy, which included discussing details of the joint visit of European leaders to Kyiv.

https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/05/secretary-rubios-call-with-german-chancellor-merz/

Poland will close the Russian consulate in Krakow after finding evidence that Moscow was responsible for a massive fire that almost completely destroyed a Warsaw shopping centre in May 2024, the Polish foreign minister said on Monday.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/poland-close-russian-consulate-krakow-2025-05-12/

🇬🇧 EU foreign ministers will meet in the UK today to discuss support for Ukraine and strengthening European security, — Reuters.

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/uk-host-eu-foreign-ministers-defence-ukraine-before-summit-2025-05-11/

A Russian drone attacked an energy workers' vehicle in the Sumy region, according to the Sumy Regional Military Administration. Preliminary reports indicate one person has been killed.

Operators of Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces spotted a Russian infantry group during a recon mission behind Russian lines and engaged them—8 of them were eliminated.

Zelensky speaks with Pope Leo XIV for the first time. They discussed thousands of Ukrainian children deported by Russia—Ukraine hopes for Vatican support in bringing them home. Zelensky also informed the Pope of the 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting today and reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness for direct talks.

‼️China supports the 30-day ceasefire proposed by Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S., — Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.

https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-polytics/3991968-kitaj-pidtrimue-zaproponovane-ukrainou-evropou-i-ssa-30denne-pripinenna-vognu.html

🇪🇺 The EU has reached a preliminary agreement to approve a 17th package of sanctions against Russia on May 20, following Monday’s EU Permanent Representatives Committee meeting, a diplomat said. Final approval is expected at the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2025/05/12/7211388/

The EU will spend €900M in the coming weeks from frozen Russian asset profits on weapons and ammo for Ukraine, and another €1B to boost drone and missile production in Ukraine, the European Commission announced.

Truck traffic at the Yahodyn–Dorohusk border crossing may be disrupted due to a planned protest by Polish carriers, per Polish Border Guard.

Freight will be limited to 1 truck/hour in each direction. Humanitarian aid will pass freely. The protest could last up to 4 months.

Russia is ramping up weapons production—especially drones, The Economist reports. Satellite images reveal the Alabuga plant in Tatarstan is also expanding Shahed drone manufacturing.

https://www.economist.com/interactive/briefing/2025/05/08/a-glimpse-inside-putins-secret-arms-empire

"Intensity remains high." The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Armed Forces' "Khortytsia" group, Viktor Trehubov, reports no reduction in Russian military activity in Donetsk and Luhansk regions on May 12 despite calls for a ceasefire from France, the UK, and Germany.

Fighting continues at full force, particularly in Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions.

🇧🇷 Brazil’s President Lula is defending his visit to Putin at the Victory Parade. He says Brazil is still all about peace and that the trip doesn’t go against the country’s official position on the war in Ukraine. Lula thinks it was part of his effort to strengthen global ties and try to act as a mediator in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

https://www.cnnbrasil.com.br/internacional/lula-defende-viagem-a-russia-e-diz-que-criticas-sao-exploracao-politica/

Russian military equipment, trucks, and personnel destroyed in the Kharkiv region. Russian tanks are burning, and personnel are being targeted by FPV fire from the 3rd Assault Brigade.

🇷🇺 Ukraine’s intel reveals specs of Russia’s new S8000 “Banderol” cruise missile, used since April to hit southern Ukraine. Launched from Orion UAVs, it flies 500 km and carries a 115kg warhead. Despite sanctions, it’s built with parts from the US, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and China.

https://war-sanctions.gur.gov.ua/components

🇩🇪 Germany warns Russia: accept the 30-day unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine by end of Monday—or face new EU sanctions. “The clock is ticking,” said gov’t spokesman Stefan Kornelius. Preparations for fresh measures will begin if Moscow refuses.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/may/12/russia-ukraine-war-zelenskyy-putin-trump-europe-live-latest-news?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6821d0588f0894079b083e82#block-6821d0588f0894079b083e82

Soldiers of the 30th Mechanized Brigade torched a Russian hideout stocked with fuel, an armored vehicle, and a tank.