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Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra, which won the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this month, raised $900,000 for the country's military battling the Russian invasion by selling the contest's trophy, The Associated Press reported. The group won Eurovision with their entry "Stefania.” On Sunday, they sold the crystal microphone they were awarded in a Facebook auction led by Ukrainian TV presenter Serhiy Prytula, AP reported.
The funds raised will be used to purchase for the armed forces the PD-2 unmanned aerial system, which includes three aircraft and a ground control station, Prytula said at the auction, according to AP.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of visiting the eastern part of the country. “Returning from the east to Kyiv, at this time, leaves a rather ambiguous impression. After Saltivka's silence, there is Khreshchatyk, full of people and smiles. After the roar of artillery on the frontline - the relaxation of Kyiv residents who today walked the city,” he said. “But it is for such happiness to live, live your normal life and just quietly walk the streets of your own city that this war is going on now. That's what we are fighting for in it. For everyone in Ukraine. Freedom and peace is what could really be felt in Kyiv today. Even in spite of the air-raid siren that sounded today as well.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he has fired Kharkiv's top security services officer for not working hard enough on the city's defense since the beginning of Russia's February 24 invasion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s heavy-handed crackdown on dissent at home means that effective opposition to his rule can only exist outside the country, activist and former chess champion Garry Kasparov has a co-production of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and VOA. Members of the opposition who have stayed in Russia “have no opportunity to express their views,” Kasparov said in an interview on May 23 from Riga, where he participated in a meeting organized by the Free Russia Forum to discuss the consequences of Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine.
“Political life ended long ago in Russia,” Kasparov said.
Ukraine's capital on Sunday celebrated the 1,540th anniversary of its official founding, with residents taking to public parks and squares, where special events were held, The Associated Press reported. The Kyiv Day celebration took on a special meaning this year, given that the city was surrounded by Russian forces just months ago.
European Union negotiators failed to reach a deal on an embargo on Russian oil but say they will continue attempts to reach an accord before the beginning of an EU summit starting on Monday, an EU official said. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to address the summit via video link to press for efforts to intensify sanctions against Moscow. EU countries are discussing a proposal in which member nations would accept a ban on Russian oil delivered to the EU by sea by the end of the year. Exemptions would be given to Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic which get oil through the Russian Druzhba pipeline.
The Czech Republic and Poland are sending additional weaponry to Ukraine as it struggles against the Russian offensive in the eastern part of the country, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports. Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova said Prague intends to send Kyiv additional weapons worth up to $30 million. "It's crucial that the aid is steady," she said. The Czech Republic has already provided more than $150 million in military aid since the Russian invasion began.
Poland said it is providing Ukraine with 18 self-propelled howitzers. Poland is the second-largest donor of military equipment to Ukraine after the U.S.
Europe’s search for alternatives to Russian energy has dramatically increased the demand and price for Norway’s oil and gas. Europe’s second largest natural gas supplier is fending off accusations that it is profiting from the war in Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Norway’s “gigantic” oil and gas profits are “indirectly preying on the war.” He urged Norway to use the windfall to support the hardest-hit countries, mainly Ukraine.