Three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine ends with fresh waves of attacks
Today’s talks in Brussels coincide with the conclusion of the three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, which was announced by President Donald Trump last week. The ceasefire ended amid a renewed series of Russian strikes.
AFP reported that Moscow launched over 200 attack drones targeting energy facilities and residential buildings, resulting in at least one fatality.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on X that
“Russia chose to end the partial silence that had lasted for several days.”
“Attack drones were shot down in the Dnipro, Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions, as well as in Kyiv and the region. Energy facilities, apartment buildings, and a kindergarten were damaged, and there was also a strike on an ordinary civilian locomotive on the railway... People have been reported injured as a result of these strikes. And, unfortunately, there are fatalities.”
Zelenskyy further stated that Ukraine
“will respond in kind”to the attacks and emphasized:
“Russia must end this war, and it is Russia that must take the step toward a real, lasting ceasefire. Until that happens, sanctions against Moscow are necessary and must remain in place and be strengthened. It is important that there be no easing of pressure and that partners do not stand aside, but continue working together for security, justice, and a reliable peace.”
WHO expects more hantavirus cases after cruise ship exposure
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus provided a briefing alongside Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez regarding the hantavirus situation following the evacuation of the MV Hondius cruise ship over the weekend.
Tedros acknowledged that more cases are expected due to the virus’s incubation period of six to eight weeks.
“We would expect more cases, because, as you may remember, the index case, the first case in the ship, was on 6 April, and until … the report was confirmed as infectious – that’s around 24 April or 25 – there was a lot of interaction [between] the passengers.
As you know, the incubation period is also six to eight weeks. Because of the interaction while they were still on the ship, especially before they started taking some infectious prevention measures, … we would expect more cases.”
Tedros also stated that
“there is no sign that we are seeing the start of a larger outbreak,”but added a caution:
“But of course the situation could change, and given the long incubation period of the virus, it’s possible we might see more cases in the coming weeks.”
He urged all affected countries to adhere to health security guidance, including a 42-day quarantine and continuous monitoring of high-risk contacts.
Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff implicated in corruption probe
Ukrainian authorities have named the former head of the Office of the President of Ukraine as a suspect in a significant corruption investigation, a development that could increase pressure on President Zelenskyy’s administration during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Last year, Kyiv experienced a broad probe that stirred public discontent and led to the resignation of Andriy Yermak, Zelenskyy’s former chief of staff and close adviser.
On Monday, Ukraine’s anti-corruption agencies announced that the
“former head of the Office of the President of Ukraine”is suspected of involvement in a criminal group that laundered approximately $10.5 million through an elite housing development near Kyiv.
Although the agencies did not explicitly name Yermak, Ukrainian media widely identified him as the suspect. In an interview with Radio Liberty, Yermak denied owning property in the development but declined further comment.
EU defence ministers convene to discuss Ukraine and Middle East security
As the UK undergoes another political transition, EU defence ministers are meeting in Brussels to evaluate the bloc’s threat assessment, support for Ukraine, and potential contributions to Middle East stability.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told reporters:
“how we can use the €90bn loan, and how does that all proceed so that it answers the urgent needs of ?”
The ministers will also address strategies to enhance domestic defence manufacturing in Europe amid concerns over Russia’s increasingly assertive posture.
Additional developments include the anticipated formal appointment of Hungary’s new government under Péter Magyar, who has requested the president, a Viktor Orbán loyalist, to remain out of public view.
Travel disruptions in Brussels due to major union strikes are also expected to impact the day.
Later this evening, the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Vienna, with some unexpected favorites emerging after rehearsals.
Jakub Krupa reports from Brussels on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, providing live updates on these and other unfolding stories.
