• 8:38 am: Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in London

The Ukrainian president has joined the United Kingdom. He planned to meet British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with whom he is to conduct "substantive negotiations face-to-face and in delegations," he tweeted.

"The UK is a leader when it comes to increasing our capabilities on the ground and in the air. This cooperation will continue today," he said.

Today – London. The UK is a leader when it comes to expanding our capabilities on the ground and in the air. This cooperation will continue today. I will meet my friend Rishi. We will conduct substantive negotiations face-to-face and in delegations.

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 15, 2023

Volodymyr Zelensky is then expected later in the day in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he is scheduled to speak at a summit on democracy.

  • 5:27 a.m.: Senior Chinese diplomat on "peace mission" in Russia and Ukraine

A senior Chinese diplomat is embarking on a tour that will visit Ukraine, Russia and other European countries, in what Beijing says is a move to discuss a "political solution" to the Ukraine crisis.

Li Hui, special representative for Eurasian affairs and former ambassador to Moscow, will also travel to Poland, France and Germany, the Foreign Ministry said, without providing a specific timetable.

A ministry spokesman said the tour was a "testament to China's efforts to promote peace talks, and it fully demonstrates China's full commitment to peace."

Li Hui is the highest-ranking Chinese official to visit Ukraine since Russia's offensive began on February 24, 2022.

  • 1:59 a.m.: G7 to impose sanctions on Russia's energy sector

G7 leaders, meeting this week in Japan, plan to tighten sanctions on Russia, with measures against the energy sector and exports allowing Moscow to finance its offensive in Ukraine, Reuters learned from officials familiar with the discussions.

According to the sources, the new measures will be aimed at preventing sanctions being circumvented by third countries, hurting Russian energy production and curbing trade that benefits the Russian military.

  • The essentials of the day of May 14

The France will train and equip several Ukrainian battalions with "dozens" of armored vehicles and light tanks, the two countries announced after a dinner in Paris between Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky, who also called for new sanctions against Russia.

The Ukrainian president was received earlier by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and received an award honoring his contribution to European unity.

With AFP and Reuters

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