Ukraine Approves US Minerals Deal Amid Ongoing Russian Attacks, EU Plans Gas Import Ban

Recent developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict reveal ongoing hostilities despite a Russian-declared 72-hour ceasefire, with both sides reporting numerous violations. Ukraine’s parliament approved a minerals agreement with the United States, deepening bilateral ties, while the EU plans to end Russian gas imports by 2027 to further pressure Russia’s economy. On May 7 and 8, Russian missile and drone strikes caused civilian casualties in multiple Ukrainian regions, coinciding with Russia’s annual Victory Day parade in Moscow, which featured attendance by global leaders including China’s Xi Jinping and was criticized by Ukraine as propaganda. Meanwhile, Ukraine is advancing a modern-day Nuremberg tribunal to address war crimes, highlighting the international dimension of the conflict. Russian Kremlin propaganda continues to exploit the legacy of World War II, especially the Soviet victory over Nazism, to justify its invasion of Ukraine, while Ukraine emphasizes its own wartime history and struggle for national rights. These developments underscore the complex interplay of military, political, and historical narratives shaping the conflict and international responses.