Ukraine's Supreme Court rules religious belief does not exempt citizens from military service during wartime

On May 1, Ukraine’s Supreme Court ruled that citizens cannot refuse military service during wartime on religious grounds. The decision stemmed from the case of a Jehovah’s Witness who was sentenced to three years in prison for evading mobilization. The court emphasized that while alternative service is allowed in peacetime, during martial law and an active defensive war, all citizens are obligated to serve, regardless of religion.

The court cited the urgent need for national defense against Russia’s full-scale invasion as justification for limiting certain freedoms. It also noted that no prior European Court of Human Rights case has dealt with a war of this scale.

The ruling comes amid efforts to address personnel shortages, including a new one-year volunteer contract for 18–24-year-olds offering significant financial incentives. However, some service members have criticized the disparity in benefits compared to earlier recruits.

Trump`s team announces steps to bring Ukraine and Russia closer together in next 100 days

U.S. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged a significant divide between Russia and Ukraine over how to end the war, outlining the Trump administration’s intention to intensify diplomatic efforts in the coming months.

In an interview with Fox News, Vance said that both Kyiv and Moscow had submitted formal peace proposals, which he described as a necessary first step toward resolving the conflict. He explained that the Ukrainians had stated their terms, and the Russians had likewise outlined theirs. According to him, the current diplomatic task was to bring both sides closer together, despite what he described as a "very big gulf" between their respective positions.

Vance noted that while both parties had issued proposals, there remained major differences in their visions for peace. He added that the administration would be working intensively over the next 100 days to bridge those differences and facilitate a potential agreement.

This statement comes amid mounting international pressure to resolve the war, now in its third year. Talks between U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials resumed in London this week, following earlier negotiations in Paris and Jeddah.

Trump`s team is dissatisfied with envoy Witkoff's approach to talks with Russia

Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East and a former real estate lawyer and investor, has reportedly raised concerns among members of the U.S. administration due to his handling of sensitive negotiations with some of America's major geopolitical adversaries, according to The New York Post, as cited by European Pravda.

Sources indicated that Witkoff has increasingly acted as Trump’s de facto envoy to Russian President Vladimir Putin, in addition to his assigned duties in the Middle East. Reports state that Witkoff has been attending high-level meetings without the standard support of advisers, policy experts, or military officials—sometimes even relying on Kremlin-provided interpreters, a departure from long-established U.S. diplomatic norms.

At his most recent meeting with Putin last Friday, Witkoff reportedly greeted the Russian leader with a familiarity that bypassed typical protocol, appearing without the customary entourage of American officials. In contrast, Putin was accompanied by his aide Yuri Ushakov and Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.

John Hardie, director of the Russia Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, commented that anyone negotiating with Putin should have seasoned Russia experts as part of their team. He emphasized the importance of informed and experienced support during such critical engagements.

Observers have noted that Witkoff appears to reflect many of Putin’s talking points and seems insufficiently informed about Ukraine’s position—especially as the Trump administration has designated retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg as its official envoy for Ukraine-related matters.

While allies describe Witkoff as a firm negotiator, questions have been raised about the extent of his responsibilities, particularly amid escalating conflicts in both Europe and the Middle East. As the special envoy to the Middle East, Witkoff has been involved in efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, as well as in renegotiating the nuclear agreement with Iran.

Witkoff initially found success in brokering a two-month truce between Israel and Hamas, which went into effect just before Trump’s inauguration. However, he has not managed to extend the ceasefire since.

Israeli security expert Danny Citrinowicz, a fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, reportedly expressed concerns about the scope of Witkoff’s responsibilities. He said he believed Witkoff was a well-intentioned figure but questioned how he could effectively manage two major negotiations simultaneously. He hoped additional personnel would be brought in to assist, particularly given the complexity of the Iran issue.

Further criticism has come from former U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton, who reportedly dismissed Witkoff’s negotiations with Iranian representatives as futile, describing them as "a waste of oxygen," according to the New York Post.