Oleksiy Sorokin

1 month ago | kyivindependent.com | Chris York |Martin Fornusek |Alex Cadier |Oleksiy Sorokin

Russian President Vladimir Putin may have gotten more than he bargained for when, on May 11, he rejected calls for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and invited Ukraine to engage in direct talks in Istanbul later this week. In what may have been a surprise for the Russian leader, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded by accepting the invitation, saying he was ready to meet Putin in Turkey on May 15.

1 month ago | kyivindependent.com | Chris York |Oleksiy Sorokin

Ukraine is "ready for all options" as it gears up for a possible meeting between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin of Russia in Istanbul this week, a source close to the President’s Office told the Kyiv Independent on May 12. After a flurry of diplomatic developments over the weekend, Putin rejected an immediate ceasefire called for by Kyiv and its European allies, instead suggesting direct peace talks be held in Istanbul on May 15.

2 months ago | kyivindependent.com | Kateryna Denisova |Oleksiy Sorokin

At least 163 Chinese nationals are serving in Russia's Armed Forces as of early April, according to Ukrainian intelligence documents seen by the Kyiv Independent on April 9. "There are 155 Chinese citizens who are fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalist on April 9.

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Kateryna Denisova |Oleksiy Sorokin

At least 163 Chinese nationals are serving in Russia's Armed Forces as of early April, according to a Ukrainian intelligence document seen by the Kyiv Independent on April 9. Another document showed photos and passport details of 13 Chinese recruits who were being selected for service in the Russian army as of April 2. "There are 155 Chinese citizens who are fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed this information to journalists on April 9.

2 months ago | kyivindependent.com | Oleksiy Sorokin |Kateryna Denisova

Ukrainian and U.S. government and legal teams continue discussions on the mineral deal, a source in the Presidential Office told the Kyiv Independent on March 31 as U.S. President Donald Trump is escalating his rhetoric on the agreement. "On Friday (March 28), we spoke with the American side; now we (Ukraine) will discuss it, then (the parties) will talk again," the source said.