Vladimir Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Reuters)

EA on ANewz: Ukraine Brings Post-Brexit UK and Europe Closer

Wednesday’s Coverage: “Russian Scumbags” Murder 27+ Civilians

UPDATE 0523 GMT:

Hungary has returned the assets of the Ukraine’s State bank Oschadbank.

Budapest’s special services in March detained bank officers while they were in transit with funds and valuables. The seizure came as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a long-time ally of Vladimir Putin, was blocking a €90 billion European Union loan to Kyiv.

Orbán’s 16-year rule was ended in elections last month, and incoming Prime Minister Peter Magyar lifted the blockade of the loan and signalled better relations with Ukriane.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on Wednesday:

ORIGINAL ENTRY: Threatening attacks on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv this weekend, Russia has told embassies to evacuate their staff.

The Kremlin is marking Victory Day, commemorating the triumph over Germany in World War II, on Friday. Fearing Ukrainian strikes, it has limited the Red Square parade by removing all military hardware, including tanks, artillery, and missiles.

In a note to foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations, Russia said it will launch a “retaliatory” strike on Kyiv, “including against decision-making centres”, if Ukraine disrupted the Victory Day ceremonies. It urged the recipients to “ensure the timely evacuation of personnel from diplomatic and other missions, as well as citizens, from the city of Kyiv”.

Earlier Wednesday, Russia rejected a unilateral ceasefire declared by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, firing 108 drones and three missiles. A day earlier, Moscow’s attacks murdered at least 27 civilians.

Zelensky said Moscow committed 1,820 violations by 10 a.m. on Wednesday: “Russia’s choice is an obvious spurning of a ceasefire and of saving lives.”

Russia must end the war it is currently waging. Even with the internet shut down and communications blocked, it is perfectly clear to most Russians that their leadership can come out of the bunker and choose peace. The Russian side has our diplomatic proposals, and the only thing needed is Russia’s willingness to move toward real peace.

He noted, “If the one person in Moscow who cannot live without war is interested only in a parade and nothing else, that is another matter. Russia has fought to the point where even their main parade now depends on us.”