The Rundown Stories

• May 11, 2025

  Ukraine's Cemeteries Fill Up As War Deaths Climb, Funeral Costs Soar

  Cemeteries in Kyiv are nearing capacity as Ukraine’s war dead mount. Soaring demand is driving funeral costs to record highs, leaving grieving families burdened and prompting some to buy burial plots in advance.

• May 10, 2025

  European Leaders, Ukraine Press Russia For A 30-Day Cease-Fire, Starting May 12

  French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and British and Polish prime ministers Keir Starmer and Donald Tusk have jointly called on Russia to agree to a full and unconditional 30-day cease-fire, while pledging increased support for Ukraine.

• May 10, 2025

  'Miracles Happen:' Ukrainian Soldier Speaks After Losing Part Of His Skull In Battle

  Friends and family of Vitaliy Shumey, who regained his ability to speak despite losing part of his skull in a Russian attack nearly three years ago, say the former Ukrainian soldier is a "living example that miracles happen."

• May 10, 2025

  Tariffs Up, Arms Delayed: Could US Tariffs Disrupt The Ukraine Arms Supply Chain?

  US tariffs on defense components risk disrupting arms supplies to Ukraine, raising costs and straining NATO supply chains. Bosnia, a key ammunition producer backed by US investment, could be caught in the middle.

• May 09, 2025

  Ukraine's EU Allies Endorse Creating Special Tribunal To Try Russian Leaders

  Ukraine's EU allies on May 9 endorsed the creation of a new international court to prosecute Russia's top leaders over Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

• May 09, 2025

  The EU's Latest Sanctions Package Against Russia Might Be Its Weakest Yet

  Presented by the European Commission earlier this week to the 27 EU member and seen by RFE/RL, the EU's latest sanctions proposal contains no hard-hitting economic measures against the Kremlin.

• May 09, 2025

  Brother Of Imprisoned RFE/RL Journalist Ihar Losik Also Jailed In Belarus

  The younger brother of imprisoned Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalist Ihar Losik was detained in April and remains in jail in his native Belarus on extremism charges related to Russia's war against Ukraine, according to a rights group and RFE/RL sources.

• May 09, 2025

  Budapest, Kyiv Expel Diplomats After Ukraine Says It Uncovered Hungarian Spy Network

  Ukraine's main security agency said it uncovered a Hungarian-run spy network that was seeking sensitive information about military defenses and public opinion in the western Zakarpattya region, which borders Hungary and has a substantial ethnic-Hungarian population.

• May 09, 2025

  For Iranians, Trump's Proposal To Rename Persian Gulf Is Personal

  This edition of the Farda Briefing looks at how Iranians are rallying against a reported plan by the Trump administration to rename the Persian Gulf -- an issue that experts say could damage the US president's standing among Iranians.

• May 09, 2025

  With A Whirlwind Tour And A Bulging In-Tray, Germany's New Chancellor Steps Out

  Germany's new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, visits Brussels on May 9 for meetings at the European Union and NATO following a whirlwind first few days in office amid a bulging international in-tray.

• May 09, 2025

  Trump's Foreign Policy Upending US-Led Global Order, Says Former Russia Adviser Fiona Hill

  In the first of a three-part interview series, RFE/RL talks to Fiona Hill, Trump's former Russia adviser and now an expert at the Brookings Institution, about the changing world order.

• May 08, 2025

  Cardinal Robert Prevost Elected Pope Leo XIV, First American To Lead Catholic Church

  White smoke poured from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out Thursday, signaling that the cardinals had elected the 267th pope to lead the Catholic Church.

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