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Zelenskiy Meets Palantir CEO as Ukraine Expands AI Use in War Effort

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Alex Karp in Kyiv as Ukraine accelerates the use of artificial intelligence and advanced data analysis in its war against Russia. The discussions focused on expanding technological cooperation in both military and civilian sectors, with Kyiv increasingly relying on AI-driven systems to improve battlefield operations and national defense capabilities.

Ukraine has partnered with Palantir Technologies on the “Brave1 Dataroom” initiative, which uses combat data collected since Russia’s 2022 invasion to develop AI tools capable of detecting and intercepting Russian drones. Ukrainian Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said more than 100 companies are currently training dozens of AI models aimed at improving aerial threat detection and battlefield intelligence analysis.

Officials said the partnership has already helped Ukraine create systems for detailed analysis of air strikes and integrate AI solutions into deep-strike mission planning. Zelenskyy described Palantir as a key global technology partner with strong potential to support the defense capabilities of Ukraine, the United States and allied nations as the role of AI in modern warfare continues to expand.

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EU Plans First Official Taliban Visit to Brussels for Migration Talks

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The European Union is preparing to invite officials from Afghanistan’s Taliban government to Brussels for talks focused on migrant deportations and repatriation cooperation. The meeting, which would mark the Taliban’s first publicly known official visit to Brussels since returning to power in 2021, is being arranged following requests from several EU member states concerned about migration and security issues.

EU officials stressed that the planned discussions would not amount to formal recognition of the Taliban government. According to an EU spokesperson, the talks are intended as a technical-level engagement aimed at improving coordination on deportations of Afghan nationals who are considered security threats or have committed crimes in Europe. EU representatives had previously travelled to Kabul earlier this year for similar discussions with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities.

Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have sought asylum in Europe since the Taliban takeover following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. However, the lack of diplomatic relations with Afghanistan has complicated deportation procedures for European governments. Sweden is reportedly helping coordinate the proposed Brussels meeting as the EU seeks practical cooperation on migration management while maintaining its policy of non-recognition toward the Taliban administration.

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Final Passengers Leave Virus-Hit Cruise Ship as New Hantavirus Cases Emerge

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The last passengers have disembarked from the virus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius after authorities confirmed three additional positive hantavirus cases linked to the outbreak. The ship departed Tenerife for the Netherlands following the evacuation of its remaining passengers and crew. So far, seven confirmed hantavirus cases and two suspected infections have been tied to the vessel, while three passengers have died during the outbreak.

Health officials in Spain, the United States and France confirmed new infections involving passengers who had already returned home. Two American nationals showed symptoms after repatriation, while a French woman isolating in Paris was reported to be in deteriorating health. Several British nationals with confirmed infections are being treated in the Netherlands and South Africa, as countries continue monitoring and quarantining passengers and crew evacuated from the ship.

The outbreak is believed to involve the Andes strain of hantavirus, which may allow limited human-to-human transmission. The World Health Organization has recommended a 42-day isolation period for passengers leaving the ship, though officials say the risk of a large-scale outbreak remains low. The cruise operator, Oceanwide Expeditions, said a reduced crew remains onboard as the vessel heads to the Netherlands for further health monitoring and operational support.

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France Courts Wider African Partnerships at Kenya Summit Amid Shift From Colonial Legacy

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French President Emmanuel Macron used the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi to announce $27 billion in planned investments across Africa, focusing on sectors such as energy transition, artificial intelligence, agriculture and maritime industries. Co-hosted with Kenyan President William Ruto, the summit marks France’s effort to deepen ties beyond its traditional French-speaking allies and reshape its relationship with the continent.

The gathering comes as France faces growing anti-French sentiment and declining influence in several former colonies in West Africa, where military governments in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have expelled French troops and strengthened ties with Russia. Analysts say hosting the summit in English-speaking Kenya signals a broader shift in Paris’s Africa strategy, moving away from old colonial-era networks toward partnerships driven by trade, investment and economic cooperation.

Kenyan officials described the summit as an opportunity to break linguistic and colonial barriers that have historically divided African countries into Anglophone and Francophone blocs. Alongside diplomacy and security discussions, the event focused heavily on investment opportunities, infrastructure and technology partnerships, with more than 30 African leaders and major business executives attending as France seeks to maintain its relevance amid growing competition from China, Russia and Turkey.

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SoftBank’s Son Eyes $100 Billion Investment in France for AI Expansion

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SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son is considering investing up to $100 billion in France, including a large-scale artificial intelligence infrastructure project, according to a Bloomberg News report. The proposed investment would focus heavily on AI data centers and advanced digital infrastructure as demand for generative AI services continues to rise globally.

Son has reportedly discussed plans for a major French AI data center initiative with French President Emmanuel Macron, with a possible announcement expected during the upcoming Choose France Summit. The report noted that discussions are still ongoing and the size and scope of the investment could change before any official confirmation.

SoftBank has aggressively expanded its AI portfolio in recent years, including investing more than $30 billion in OpenAI for an estimated 11% stake. The company also partnered with OpenAI and Oracle Corporation on the $500 billion Stargate AI network project in the United States, while continuing investments in robotics and digital infrastructure firms.

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EU Rejects Putin’s Proposal for Schroeder Role in Russia Security Talks

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European Union foreign ministers have rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin’s suggestion that former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder could represent Europe in future security negotiations with Moscow. Putin recently said he was open to discussing new security arrangements for Europe and named Schroeder as his preferred negotiating partner. However, EU leaders argued that Schroeder’s close ties to Putin and his past work with Russian state energy companies make him unsuitable to act as an impartial mediator.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said allowing Russia to effectively choose Europe’s negotiator would be unwise, while Germany’s Europe minister Gunther Krichbaum stated that Schroeder could not be viewed as an “honest broker.” Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Union has largely isolated Moscow through sanctions and limited diplomatic engagement. Many ministers also questioned whether Russia is genuinely ready for meaningful peace negotiations.

Despite the criticism, some European officials believe the EU should prepare for future direct talks with Moscow alongside ongoing US-led peace efforts. European Council President António Costa said discussions are already taking place among EU leaders about how Europe should approach any future negotiations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also said Europe could play a complementary role in peace talks, though several ministers stressed the bloc should first strengthen pressure on Russia and agree on a united strategy before entering negotiations.

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Putin Says Ukraine War May Be Nearing Its End

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has suggested that the conflict in Ukraine could be approaching an end, saying after Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow that the “special military operation” was “coming to an end.” During his speech, Putin criticised Western nations for continuing to support and arm Ukraine, accusing Nato countries of fuelling the conflict. The annual Red Square parade was notably scaled back this year, with no tanks or heavy military hardware displayed amid fears of possible Ukrainian attacks.

Putin also indicated he would only agree to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky once a long-term peace agreement had been finalised. He said negotiations could take place in a third country and mentioned former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as his preferred negotiating partner for broader European security discussions. Meanwhile, European leaders have hinted at possible future talks with Moscow, with EU officials saying there may be potential for negotiations at the right moment.

Although a US-brokered temporary ceasefire reduced tensions during the Victory Day celebrations, both Russia and Ukraine later accused each other of violating the truce through drone strikes and artillery attacks. The two sides have agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners each, but Moscow claims it has yet to receive confirmation from Kyiv. The conflict, which began with Russia’s seizure of Crimea in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022, continues despite renewed diplomatic signals.

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Poland Seeks Answers After Fugitive Ex-Minister Reaches US From Hungary

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Poland has demanded explanations from Hungary and the United States after former Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, wanted on abuse of power charges, reportedly travelled from Hungary to the US despite having his passport revoked. Polish officials said they want to know what legal documents allowed Ziobro to leave Hungary and enter the United States while facing criminal charges in Poland.

Ziobro and his former deputy Marcin Romanowski had earlier been granted asylum in Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government. Warsaw had hoped political changes in Hungary following recent elections could pave the way for their return to Poland for trial. Romanowski’s current whereabouts remain unknown, while Ziobro confirmed in an interview that he is now in the United States and will work as a political commentator for a Polish broadcaster supportive of the nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party.

The former minister is accused of misusing funds intended for crime victims for political purposes and faces 26 charges linked to abuse of power. Ziobro was also a key architect of judicial reforms introduced during the PiS government between 2015 and 2023, reforms that drew criticism from the European Union over concerns about weakening judicial independence in Poland.

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French Passenger Shows Hantavirus Symptoms After Evacuation From MV Hondius

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French authorities placed five passengers evacuated from the cruise ship MV Hondius into strict isolation after one French national developed hantavirus symptoms during a repatriation flight from Tenerife to Paris. Ambulances and PPE-clad medical teams received the passengers at Le Bourget Airport before transferring them to Bichat Hospital for quarantine and medical assessment. Similar monitoring and isolation measures are underway in Spain, the UK, the US, and the Netherlands as more than 90 passengers and crew are evacuated from the vessel.

The outbreak aboard the Dutch cruise ship has already been linked to three deaths, with two confirmed hantavirus infections. Health officials believe some passengers may have contracted the Andes strain during the ship’s South American voyage. Several countries have arranged emergency flights for their citizens, while symptomatic passengers are being transported in biocontainment units as a precaution. British, American, Dutch, Spanish, Australian, Turkish, and Irish nationals are among those being repatriated.

The MV Hondius arrived off Tenerife after weeks of concern over infections spreading onboard. Medical teams began carefully coordinated evacuations while passengers wearing masks were ferried ashore under strict health protocols. Experts say the incident highlights the continuing risks of infectious disease outbreaks on cruise ships and the importance of global preparedness, surveillance, and rapid response systems for future health emergencies.

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Kremlin Criticises Armenia Over Zelenskiy Visit and Anti-Russia Remarks

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Russia on Sunday accused Armenia of giving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a platform to make anti-Russian comments, highlighting growing tensions between Moscow and its longtime ally Yerevan. During a visit to Armenia last week, Zelenskiy remarked that Russia feared “drones may buzz over Red Square” during the May 9 Victory Day celebrations in Moscow.

The Kremlin reacted strongly to the comments, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying Armenia’s actions were “not normal” and inconsistent with the spirit of relations between the two countries. Russia had earlier summoned Armenia’s ambassador to protest what it described as “terrorist threats against Russia” voiced by Zelenskiy while in Yerevan.

Relations between Russia and Armenia have become increasingly strained in recent years, particularly after Azerbaijan regained control of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023 despite the presence of Russian peacekeepers. Moscow has also expressed concern over Armenia’s growing ties with Europe after Yerevan hosted a major European Political Community meeting attended by more than 40 leaders, including Zelenskiy.

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