The decision by Donald Trump to cut off U.S. Intelligence collaboration with the Ukrainian army is a new blow to Volodymyr Zelensky, adding to the American president's order to cut off arms supplies.
In this situation, the Ukrainian president is expected to participate in the extraordinary meeting that European Union leaders will hold this Thursday in Brussels, where they aim to boost defense capabilities and support for Ukraine. Zelensky will also meet with NATO Secretary-General, Mark Rutte.
Meanwhile, hours after the strong speech by Emmanuel Macron, the French Defense Minister has announced that France is sharing military intelligence with Ukraine. "Our intelligence is sovereign" and we have "our own capability," declared Minister Sébastien Lecornu to radio France Inter, adding that France is sharing it "for the benefit of Ukrainians."
On the other hand, Russian attacks have left five civilians dead in Ukraine. Four people died and 31 were injured in a missile attack on a hotel in Krivoy Rog, Zelensky's hometown, while a man died in a drone attack on warehouses on the outskirts of Sumy.
Russia declares it will not allow the deployment of European troops in Ukraine
Sergei Lavrov also stated that Moscow will not allow the deployment of a European contingent in Ukraine within the framework of peace negotiations.
"That would mean not a hybrid but an official and undisguised participation of NATO countries in the war against Russia. We cannot allow that to happen," said the Russian Foreign Minister in a joint press conference with his Zimbabwean counterpart, Amon Murwira.
Lavrov says Macron's nuclear rhetoric is a threat to Russia
Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, stated that French President Emmanuel Macron's nuclear rhetoric posed a threat to Russia.
Lavrov was commenting on a speech on Wednesday in which Macron said he was considering putting European allies under the protection of France's nuclear arsenal.
"Of course, it is a threat to Russia (...) (Macron) says it is necessary to use nuclear weapons and prepare for their use against Russia. That, logically, is a threat," Lavrov asserted in a press conference.
Poland reaffirms commitment to provide arms to Ukraine
Polish Defense Minister, Wadyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz, stated on Thursday that his country has already trained around 28,000 Ukrainian fighters and reaffirmed to his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, the government's willingness to continue supplying weapons, ammunition, and logistical support to Kyiv.
The Polish Defense official made these statements at a press conference after meeting with Umerov, who is visiting Poland and will then travel to Germany to meet with his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, in Berlin.
"We support and will support Ukraine, we will continue with logistical support from the Jasionka center," said Kosiniak-Kamysz, referring to the Polish military base near the Ukrainian border, "because as long as bombs continue to fall on hospitals, kindergartens, and nursing homes, we must help," he emphasized.
Russia announces capture of another village in Donetsk
The Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday that its forces had taken the village of Andriivka in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk.
Russia's army has been reporting a slow but steady advance westward through the Donetsk region, capturing village after village for months.
France announces sharing military intelligence with Ukraine
The French Defense Minister announced on Thursday that France is sharing military intelligence with Ukraine, a day after the United States froze its collaboration with Kiev in this essential area for the Ukrainian army in the war against Russia.
"Our intelligence is sovereign" and we have "our own capability," Minister Sébastien Lecornu declared on radio France Inter, adding that France is sharing it "for the benefit of Ukrainians."
Death toll rises to four in Krivoy Rog
The death toll from the Russian missile that hit a hotel in the city of Krivoy Rog has risen to four, while rescue teams continue to search for people trapped under the rubble.
A group of volunteers from humanitarian organizations from Ukraine, the US, and the UK had checked into the hotel just before the attack but survived by quickly taking shelter, as reported by Volodymyr Zelensky.
"Unfortunately, four people died in the attack," he wrote on Telegram. "We must continue to pressure Russia to end this war and terror against life."
Medvedev says Macron will disappear in 2027 and no one will miss him
Former Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, stated on Thursday that French leader Emmanuel Macron "will disappear forever at the latest" in 2027 and no one will miss him.
"Macron himself does not pose a great threat. He will disappear forever at the latest on May 14, 2027. And no one will miss him," wrote Medvedev, the current number two in the Russian Security Council, known for his inflammatory statements on social media.
The Russian official was responding to Macron's statements in which the French leader described Russia as a "threat to France and Europe."
Zelensky applauds Macron's speech and urges not to capitulate Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Emmanuel Macron for the speech delivered last night by the French president, emphasizing the urgency for Europe to rely on itself to defend against threats like Russia.
"I am grateful to Emmanuel Macron for his clear vision and joint efforts to achieve peace," wrote the Ukrainian, adding that peace "must be real, not just a word." Zelensky stressed that peace "cannot mean surrender or collapse for Ukraine."
In his speech last night, Macron also opened the "debate" on the possibility of extending to his allies the nuclear umbrella offered by France's nuclear arsenal. "We deeply appreciate the leadership and efforts of all those who support Ukraine and strengthen Europe's defense capabilities," Zelensky also stated.
Ukraine shoots down 68 drones out of the 112 launched by Russia
The Ukrainian army stated on Thursday that Russia launched two ballistic missiles and 112 drones to attack the country overnight.
The air force reported shooting down 68 drones, with another 43 failing to reach their targets likely due to electronic countermeasures.
Russia attacks energy infrastructures in Odesa with drones
Russian drones have attacked energy infrastructures in the Ukrainian region of Odesa, in the south of the country, during a massive overnight attack, as reported on Thursday by its governor, who stated that two people were injured.
Zelensky to participate in European Council and meet with Rutte
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, is expected to participate in the extraordinary meeting of European Union leaders in Brussels on Thursday, where they aim to boost defense capabilities and support for Ukraine. Zelensky will also meet with NATO Secretary-General, Mark Rutte.
Three dead and 31 injured in Russian bombing of Zelensky city
A Russian airstrike has killed at least three people in the city of Krivoy Rog, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelensky, as reported on social media by the governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region, where the city is located, Sergiy Lisak.
"Three people died in Krivoy Rog in the overnight missile attack, two men and one woman," said Lisak, who reported 31 injured.
The attack destroyed a hotel in the city and caused damage to 14 residential blocks, a post office, and around twenty cars and shops.