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The summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in Beijing concluded without any breakthrough agreements, despite the ostensibly friendly atmosphere and public statements from both sides. The US and China made no significant progress on trade, Iran and Taiwan.
Law enforcement officers carried out 272 searches across various regions of Ukraine as part of an investigation into the illegal manufacture and sale of e-cigarettes and e-liquids. According to the investigation, the scheme resulted in the state losing out on approximately 100 million hryvnias in excise duty.
The Security Service of Ukraine has uncovered an international group involved in purchasing seagoing vessels for the Russian ‘shadow fleet’. Both Ukrainian citizens and foreign nationals were involved in the scheme.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hagseth stated that the Pentagon had sent American military personnel to Ukraine to study the combat use of drones. According to him, the US aims to use the experience gained to develop its own defensive and offensive capabilities.
In the temporarily occupied city of Mariupol, the Russian occupying authorities plan to include hundreds of flats on the list of properties to be provided as ‘compensation’. These are the homes of city residents who left due to the blockade and occupation.
On 13 May, fires broke out at several facilities in Russia’s fuel and energy sector following drone attacks. Blazes were reported at a gas processing plant near Astrakhan, an oil terminal in Bashkortostan and a facility in the Krasnodar Krai.
Russian authorities have reported drone attacks on the port of Taman in the Krasnodar Krai and an industrial facility in Yaroslavl. Fires broke out following the strikes.
Ivan Vyhovskyi, Head of the National Police of Ukraine, has introduced the new Head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Kyiv Region. The post has been taken up by Andrii Rubel.
Berlin has reacted sceptically to Vladimir Putin’s proposal to involve former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder in negotiations between Russia and the European Union. Government circles have described this initiative as part of Russia’s hybrid strategy.
US President Donald Trump has criticised Iran’s response to American proposals to end the war. According to Iranian media reports, Tehran is demanding a cessation of hostilities, the lifting of the naval blockade and guarantees against further attacks.
Vladimir Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, has stated that US special envoys may soon travel to Moscow to continue talks on the war in Ukraine
Ukraine may be set to change its system of penalties for traffic offences. Instead of just fines for drivers, there are plans to introduce penalty points — these will be awarded for each traffic offence depending on its severity
