Ukraine sends delegation to Istanbul for talks with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Thursday that he has agreed to send a delegation to Istanbul for negotiations with Russian representatives, although he himself will not attend the meeting.
After meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Zelensky stated that the decision to participate in these talks was made out of respect for the leaders of the US and Turkey, as well as to show Ukraine's willingness to end the war started by Russia.
"Out of respect for President Trump, the high level of the Turkish delegation and President Erdogan, as well as our desire to take the first steps towards de-escalation and a ceasefire, I have decided to send our delegation to Istanbul," Zelensky said.
Accident during La Liga match in Barcelona, ??several injured
Police in Barcelona said several people were injured after a driver lost control of his car and crashed into a crowd of fans outside the stadium during a La Liga match on Thursday.
The incident occurred in the opening minutes of the match between Barcelona and Espanyol.
Police said everyone involved in the accident had minor injuries and ruled out any deliberate or terrorist motive behind the incident.
Trump laments US absence from Victory Day ceremonies
US President Donald Trump on Thursday criticized the fact that the US did not participate in international ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory over Nazi Germany last week, emphasizing that "we won the war."
He made these comments during a speech to US troops stationed in Qatar, the second stop of a four-day tour of the Middle East that includes three countries.
Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar was a key hub for US operations during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as in recent air campaigns against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
"They helped, but without us the war couldn't have been won - we'd all be speaking German, you know that, right?" Trump added, also mentioning France as a country that he said "didn't do as much as the US to win the war."
Pope Leo XIV offers Vatican mediation for peace in Ukraine
Pope Leo XIV has offered the Holy See's mediation to help achieve peace in Ukraine, earning the appreciation and gratitude of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I will make every effort,” the Pope said in a statement, “The Holy See is ready to become a meeting place for enemies to look each other in the eye, to restore hope to peoples and to give them the dignity they deserve – the dignity of peace. Peoples seek peace and I, with my heart in my hand, say to the leaders of states: let us meet, let us dialogue, let us negotiate.”
President Zelensky thanked the Pope for this initiative in a post on the social network X: "The wise words and the willingness of the Holy See to mediate for global peace are valuable. Peace is the most sacred desire of millions of people. We hope and work for a worthy peace."
