Trump considers attending Istanbul talks, Kyiv faces Hepatitis A outbreak: May 12 highlights
President Donald Trump said he might travel to Türkiye for Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Russia has not responded to a 30-day ceasefire proposal. Kyiv reported a hepatitis A outbreak. Here’s a roundup of the top news for May 12.
Trump may travel to Istanbul for talks
U.S. President Donald Trump said he is considering traveling to Türkiye for direct Russia-Ukraine talks aimed at ending the war, stating the meeting could yield a “good result.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded, “All of us in Ukraine would appreciate it if President Trump could be there with us.”
Russia has still not responded to the 30-day ceasefire proposal
A European and Ukrainian proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire, backed by Trump, expires at midnight on May 12, but Russia has not responded. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Russia rejects “the language of ultimatums.”
German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius stressed, “The clock is ticking,” warning that Germany and European partners will begin preparing new sanctions if Russia does not halt attacks by the deadline.
Hepatitis A outbreak in Kyiv
Kyiv’s Solomyanskyi district reported a hepatitis A outbreak, with 36 patients—20 adults and 16 children—hospitalized. Health officials are conducting an epidemiological investigation and interviewing patients to identify the infection’s source.
Zelenskyy signed the bill on ratification of the subsoil agreement into law
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law ratifying the U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement, formalized on April 30, 2025.
The deal, approved by Ukraine’s parliament on May 8 with 338 votes, establishes a joint investment fund for mineral extraction, with profits reinvested in Ukraine’s reconstruction.
Azov leaders defend National Guard commander
Denys Prokopenko (Redis), commander of the 1st National Guard Azov Corps, and Bohdan Krotevych (Tavr), former Azov Brigade chief of staff, defended National Guard Commander Oleksandr Pivnenko amid reports of searches by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU), per ZN.ua.
NABU and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office declined to comment on investigative actions involving National Guard officials.
The National Guard stated that Pivnenko remains in his role, performing duties as usual.
Two Ukrainians accused of involvement in arson ordered by Russia
Polish prosecutors charged two Ukrainians with involvement in a May 12, 2024, arson attack on the Marywilska shopping center in Warsaw, allegedly ordered by Russian special services. One suspect is detained in Lithuania, while the other is in Russia, prompting an arrest warrant.
Poland will close Russia’s consulate in Krakow, with Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski citing evidence of Russian sabotage in the Warsaw attack.
Polish carriers renew protest at the border
The Polish Border Guard has warned of a protest by Polish transporters in the direction of the Dorohusk checkpoint, which is opposite the Ukrainian Yagodyn checkpoint. Previously, the actions of the Polish transporters could last for four months.
Other important news:
- In Rivne, the guys detonated an explosive device at the place where they called the police. It was an order from the Russian Federation.
- In Dnipro, teenagers filmed a man while he was drowning . He died, police say.
- Zelensky spoke with the new Pope for the first time: he talked about the truce and invited him to Ukraine.
- In Kyiv, bloggers were flaunting unregistered weapons. The police paid them a visit.