⌨Morning reports focused on Russian military claiming further successes in Kursk, with the liberation of Zaoleshenka and Rubanshchina settlements and demining operations beginning in border areas. Kremlin spokesman Peskov warned that time for Ukrainian forces to surrender was "shrinking like shagreen leather," echoing Putin's previous conditional guarantee of safety.
By midday, media highlighted Trump's claim of "good negotiations" with Moscow, with some outlets suggesting his advisor drew territorial maps dividing Ukraine. Hungarian PM Orban issued 12 demands to the EU, notably excluding Ukraine from membership.
The afternoon brought news of Telegram founder Pavel Durov being permitted to leave France for Dubai following his recent arrest. Meanwhile, Putin, Lukashenko, and Rakhmon held an informal meeting, agreeing to convene again in Moscow on May 9 with Azerbaijan's Aliyev.
Evening coverage turned to Macron's assertion that Europe could deploy troops to Ukraine without Russia's consent, while US forces began operations against Houthis in Yemen.