A proposed amendment to Lithuania’s Law on Citizenship would expand the grounds for revoking citizenship from dual citizens who support “aggressor states” or threaten national security. This builds upon a 2023 law allowing revocation for those posing security risks or publicly supporting threatening states, and extends this to all dual citizens regardless of how they obtained citizenship. The impetus for this change stems from concerns about individuals using Lithuanian citizenship to circumvent sanctions, as exemplified by recent reports involving Russian citizens. The amendment explicitly protects individuals with only Lithuanian citizenship.
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In their first phone conversation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Pope Leo XIV held a “warm and substantive” discussion, with Zelensky inviting the Pope to visit Ukraine. The call, the Pope’s first publicly known with a foreign leader, focused on the ongoing war, including efforts to repatriate Ukrainian children forcibly deported by Russia. Zelensky thanked the Pope for his support and relayed Ukraine’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire and readiness for peace talks. A future in-person meeting between the two leaders is planned.
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Facing Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine, Germany and its European partners will initiate preparations for a new sanctions package if a 30-day ceasefire isn’t implemented by Monday’s close. This decision follows a joint demand from several European nations for an unconditional ceasefire beginning May 12th. Spokesperson Stefan Kornelius confirmed that sanction preparations, alongside the development of a 17th sanctions package in Brussels, will commence immediately following the deadline. These actions are occurring concurrently with ongoing negotiations in Istanbul. Failure to achieve a ceasefire will trigger immediate action on the sanctions front.
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Satellite imagery reveals a significant buildup of Russian military forces near Finland’s eastern border, including expanded bases at Kamenka, Petrozavodsk, Severomorsk-2, and Olenya. This activity, observed since February 2025, involves new troop accommodations, aircraft deployment, and infrastructure construction, suggesting a reinforcement of Russia’s military presence following Finland and Sweden’s NATO accession. Analysts interpret this as a delayed response to NATO expansion, potentially concealing the true scale of military hardware and personnel. These developments are being closely monitored by Finnish and Swedish defense officials.
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In his first public address, Pope Leo XIV, the 267th and first American pope, called for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine, describing the current global conflicts as a “third world war in pieces.” He also urged a ceasefire and humanitarian aid in Gaza, the release of hostages, and the return of Ukrainian children. The Pope’s appearance on the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, singing rather than reciting the traditional prayer, signaled a potentially different style of papacy.
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A video showing a small bag of white powder and a spoon on a table during a meeting between French President Macron, British Prime Minister Starmer, and German Chancellor Merz aboard a train to Kyiv has sparked controversy. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, referencing this video, indirectly accused the three leaders of drug use, further alleging that Ukrainian President Zelensky is a cocaine addict. These accusations have not been substantiated, and the leaders involved have not yet responded to the allegations. The incident occurred during a high-profile visit to show continued support for Ukraine.
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The UK Ministry of Defence’s YouTube video showcases the Raven air defence system, a rapidly developed (three months) and highly effective system currently deployed in Ukraine. Utilizing repurposed UK military equipment, including ASRAAM missiles and decommissioned aircraft parts, Raven boasts a 70%+ success rate in over 400 engagements against drones, cruise missiles, and other aerial threats. Praised by Ukrainian forces for its reliability and ease of use, the system’s remote operation capability enhances operator safety. The project’s minimal cost leveraged existing UK inventory, ensuring support to Ukraine without impacting UK operational readiness.
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Rinaldo Nazzaro, a former Pentagon contractor and leader of the neo-Nazi terrorist group The Base, relocated to Russia and is suspected of being a Russian spy. Allegations suggest he’s linked to the FSB, aligning with Russia’s strategy of utilizing far-right groups for attacks on Western democracies. This tactic, part of a broader hybrid warfare approach employed by the Kremlin, involves funding extremist groups, spreading disinformation, and providing paramilitary training. The suspicions surrounding Nazzaro, including financial irregularities and his prominent role in The Base’s operations, have raised serious concerns within US intelligence agencies.
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To bolster Ukraine’s defenses against Russia, the UK military is supplying realistic decoys of tanks and air defense systems. These printed models, designed to mimic actual weaponry, are strategically deployed to create the illusion of greater UK arms shipments. This deception tactic aims to deplete Russian resources by targeting inexpensive fakes rather than real military hardware. The initiative involves collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and industry, producing highly convincing decoys difficult to distinguish from genuine equipment at typical engagement ranges. This approach, employed alongside similar strategies by Ukraine and Russia, is now considered a crucial aspect of modern warfare.
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The European Union, echoing calls from Ukraine and President Trump, urged an unconditional 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to alleviate civilian suffering and facilitate peace negotiations. While Ukraine supports the proposal, Russia rejects it, viewing it as advantageous to Kyiv. Past Russian ceasefires proved ineffective, with continued attacks reported by Ukrainian forces, leading to Zelensky’s dismissal of them as mere theatrics. International leaders, including from France, Germany, Britain, and Poland, visited Kyiv for discussions amidst this ongoing conflict.
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John Q. Hosedrinker