- Russian President Vladimir Putin warns Finland joining NATO would be ‘a mistake’ as Moscow halted electric supplies to the Nordic country.
- Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says “very complex negotiations” with Russia are under way to get fighters out of the besieged Azovstal plant in Mariupol.
- Mitch McConnell, the top Republican in the US Senate, makes a surprise visit to Kyiv, assures Ukraine of sustained support.
- A convoy of hundreds of cars that left Mariupol reaches safety in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia.
- Ukraine’s Kalusch Orchestra wins Eurovision with the folk hip hop song, “Stefania”.
Here are all the latest updates:
Zelenskyy hails Ukraine’s Eurovision win, pledges to host contest in Mariupol one day
Ukraine’s president has praised the Kalush Orchestra’s win in the Eurovision song contest.
“Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe!” Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post.
As winners of this year’s Eurovision, Ukraine will host next year’s contest. Zelenskyy said he hoped to one day host the participants and guests of Eurovision in a “free, peaceful and rebuilt” Mariupol.
Blinken arrives in Germany for NATO meeting
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Germany ahead of an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Berlin.
The gathering will consider moves by Finland and Sweden to join the military alliance, as well as ways in which NATO can support Ukraine without being drawn into the conflict with Russia.
I have arrived in Berlin where I will informally meet with @NATO foreign ministers to discuss our alliance and sustained action to address Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 14, 2022
Mitch McConnell assures Ukraine of ‘sustained support’
The Republican leader of the US Senate has reaffirmed Washington’s support for Ukraine during a surprise visit to Kyiv.
In a statement, Mitch McConnel said he reassured Zelenskyy that US “stands squarely behind Ukraine and will sustain our support until Ukraine wins this war”.
A delegation of Senate Republicans just left Ukraine after visiting Kyiv and meeting with President Zelenskyy. We saw firsthand the courage, unity, and resolve of the Ukrainian people. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/bsgCMLiZ6M
— Leader McConnell (@LeaderMcConnell) May 14, 2022
Ukraine wins Eurovision Song Contest
Ukraine has won the Eurovision Song Contest, riding a wave of public support across Europe for the embattled nation and buoyed by an infectious folk hip hop melody.
Kalush Orchestra’s song “Stefania” beat out 24 competitors in the finale of the world’s biggest live music event on Saturday. Sung in Ukrainian, the winning song fused rap with traditional folk music and was a tribute to band frontman Oleh Psiuk’s mother.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sent good luck wishes earlier in the night, saying that if Kalush Orchestra were to win it would have a huge symbolic meaning.
“For us today, any victory is very important,” he said in his nightly address.
Russia had been excluded from the competition in Turin because of its invasion of Ukraine.
Mariupol convoy reaches safety, refugees recount ‘devastating’ escape
A large convoy of cars and vans carrying refugees from the ruins of Mariupol has arrived in the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia after waiting days for Russian troops to allow them to leave.
The refugees that arrived on Saturday first had to get out of Mariupol and then somehow make their…
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