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Poland Passes Crypto Law Amid Major Exchange Fraud Investigation

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Polish lawmakers have approved new cryptocurrency regulations as authorities investigate a major fraud case linked to the collapse of the country’s largest crypto exchange, Zondacrypto. The new legislation aligns Poland with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) rules, which member states must implement by July.

The investigation centers on allegations that thousands of Zondacrypto users were unable to access their funds, with estimated losses exceeding 350 million zlotys ($95 million). Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has claimed the exchange may have connections to Russian criminal networks, intensifying political tensions and calls for stricter oversight of the crypto sector.

The scandal has also sparked a political dispute after President Karol Nawrocki previously blocked similar legislation, arguing that heavy regulations could drive crypto companies out of Poland. However, officials warn that failure to implement the EU rules by the July deadline could prevent Polish firms from legally offering crypto-related services.

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Russian Drone Strikes Kill Nine Across Ukraine After Ceasefire Ends

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At least nine people were killed and 28 injured in fresh Russian drone attacks across Ukraine following the expiration of a three-day US-brokered ceasefire. Ukrainian officials said the central Dnipropetrovsk region suffered the heaviest damage, with eight deaths reported, while another casualty occurred in the eastern Donetsk region. Authorities said a total of 14 Ukrainian regions came under attack during the latest wave of strikes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said more than 100 Russian drones were active over the country on Wednesday morning and warned of continued attacks. Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 139 drones within 24 hours, with 111 intercepted or destroyed, though several strikes hit civilian infrastructure, including railway facilities and residential areas. Regions including Kharkiv, Odesa, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Poltava also reported injuries and property damage.

Meanwhile, Russia said Ukrainian drones targeted industrial and energy facilities overnight in multiple Russian regions, including Astrakhan and Krasnodar. Russian officials claimed hundreds of Ukrainian drones were intercepted and confirmed damage to a gas processing plant and other industrial sites, though no casualties were reported. The renewed attacks highlight escalating tensions after the temporary ceasefire collapsed amid mutual accusations of violations from both sides.

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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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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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Putin Uses Victory Day Speech to Defend Ukraine War and Criticize NATO

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Russian President Vladimir Putin used his Victory Day speech in Moscow’s Red Square to justify the ongoing war in Ukraine and accuse NATO of backing an “aggressive force” against Russia. Addressing military personnel and invited world leaders, Putin described the conflict as a “just” fight and praised Russian soldiers involved in what Moscow calls its “special military operation.”

This year’s Victory Day celebrations were noticeably scaled back, with no military hardware displayed in the Moscow parade for the first time in nearly two decades. Russian officials said tanks and other equipment were needed on the battlefield in Ukraine, while heightened security concerns over possible drone attacks also led to tighter restrictions and reduced public celebrations in several cities.

Despite the reduced scale, thousands of soldiers marched through Red Square alongside troops from allied nations, including North Korea. The event came amid a temporary three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, although both sides accused each other of violating the truce. Victory Day remains one of Russia’s most important national holidays, commemorating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War Two.

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Russia, Ukraine Trade Blame as WW2 Ceasefire Fails Amid Ongoing Attacks

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Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating a two-day ceasefire announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin during celebrations marking the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. Moscow claimed Ukrainian drones and artillery targeted Russian regions including Belgorod, Kursk, Moscow, and Perm, while Kyiv said Russian forces continued overnight strikes on Ukrainian positions despite the truce announcement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected the limited holiday ceasefire and instead called for an indefinite truce, accusing Russia of making no real attempt to stop fighting. Russia warned that any disruption to Saturday’s Victory Day parade in Moscow would trigger a major missile response against Kyiv, while security around the Kremlin and Red Square has been significantly tightened ahead of the event.

The war, now in its fifth year since Russia’s 2022 invasion, continues with no breakthrough in peace talks. Russia currently controls nearly one-fifth of Ukrainian territory, though advances have slowed this year. Moscow is using the WW2 Victory Day celebrations to rally public support, but rising security concerns and disruptions across the capital reflect growing tensions as both sides continue heavy drone, missile, and artillery attacks.

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Venice Biennale Faces Protests Over Russia’s Return Amid Ukraine War

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The return of Russia to the prestigious Venice Biennale has triggered protests and political controversy, with activist groups Pussy Riot and FEMEN staging demonstrations outside the Russian pavilion. Protesters accused Russia of using art and culture as part of its broader political influence campaign during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Demonstrators carried signs condemning the exhibition and argued that allowing Russia to participate ignored the human cost of the conflict.

The backlash has grown across Europe, with the European Commission reportedly threatening to withdraw funding from the Biennale over Russia’s inclusion. Italy’s Culture Minister is boycotting the event, while Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini defended Russia’s participation, saying no country should be excluded from the exhibition. Controversy has also spread beyond Russia, with separate protests targeting Israel’s pavilion and the resignation of the Biennale’s international jury after disputes linked to references to alleged war crimes.

At the centre of the debate is the role of art during wartime and whether global cultural events should remain politically neutral. Ukrainian artist Zhanna Kadyrova showcased a suspended concrete origami deer evacuated from the war-hit city of Pokrovsk, symbolising destruction and displacement caused by the conflict. Meanwhile, Russia’s pavilion defended its participation as a legitimate cultural presence, despite mounting criticism from activists, artists, and European officials.

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Russia Restricts Mobile Internet Ahead of Victory Day Parade

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Russia has limited mobile internet access in major cities including Moscow and St Petersburg ahead of the May 9 World War II Victory Day parade. Authorities say the мера is necessary to ensure security amid fears of Ukrainian drone attacks, which have intensified in recent months. While mobile data services were disrupted, basic phone calls continued to function in many areas.

The ограничения have caused widespread inconvenience, affecting digital payments, navigation, and taxi services. Major companies like Sberbank and Yandex warned users about potential service disruptions. Reports indicated that internet outages extended beyond the capital to several regions across European Russia, forcing many residents to rely on VPNs.

The меры come amid escalating conflict following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with both sides increasingly deploying drones in warfare. Russian officials said hundreds of Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight, while a refinery in the Leningrad region was hit, sparking a fire. The annual parade has been scaled back this year due to security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict.

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UK Moves to Join EU’s Ukraine Loan Initiative

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The United Kingdom is set to begin talks to join the European Union’s £78 billion ($105.9 billion) loan programme for Ukraine, signalling closer defence and financial cooperation. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce the move at the European Political Community summit in Yerevan, highlighting Britain’s intent to support Ukraine with critical military resources.

The EU-backed loan, approved last month, aims to cover a significant portion of Ukraine’s financial and defence needs over the next two years, with a large share directed toward military spending amid its ongoing war with Russia. The UK government said participation could also open opportunities for British defence firms to contribute to Ukraine’s urgent requirements.

Alongside the funding initiative, Britain plans to introduce further sanctions targeting Russian companies to disrupt military supply chains. The move reflects growing European efforts to strengthen defence cooperation, particularly as the United States urges allies to take greater responsibility for regional security, pushing the UK and EU toward deeper strategic alignment post-Brexit.

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