In a significant escalation of rhetoric, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov informed U.S. officials about plans for systematic strikes on targets in Kyiv. These strikes are reportedly aimed at facilities allegedly used by the Ukrainian military and decision-making centers.
This warning was conveyed during a phone call between Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 25. The Russian Foreign Ministry also highlighted recommendations for the evacuation of diplomatic personnel from Kyiv, which were directed at the U.S. and other nations.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts appear to be making headway as Iran and the United States have reportedly made progress in negotiations regarding a potential agreement that could facilitate the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated on May 25 that both Tehran and Washington have reached conclusions on a significant portion of the discussed issues.
“However, no one can claim that this means an inevitable signing of an agreement,” Baghaei added.
This development follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent discussions with leaders from several Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, about a memorandum of understanding aimed at peace with Iran.
In a separate event, Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tihanovskaya made her first visit to Kyiv, where she expressed solidarity with Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression. Tihanovskaya emphasized that Ukraine’s resilience serves as an inspiration for Belarusians.
“Despite Russian terror, Ukraine holds the front, demonstrating resolve and inspiring the world, especially us Belarusians. Ukraine’s victory is also a path to freedom for Belarus,” Tihanovskaya stated.
She further indicated that her visit was intended to affirm the Belarusian people’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Tihanovskaya criticized Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has aligned the country with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
“Lukashenko is a usurper who lost the elections. He does not represent Belarusians and serves only the interests of the Kremlin and imperial Russia. But Belarus is not Russia. Belarusians have stood with you side by side, dying in trenches since 2014. Thousands have protested against the war, and hundreds remain imprisoned for supporting Ukraine,” she asserted.
Additionally, Tihanovskaya announced the appointment of Ukrainian scientist and lecturer Yaroslav Chornogor as a special envoy at the Foreign Ministry for Belarus-related issues.
In a tragic development, a recent Russian missile strike on Kyiv resulted in the destruction of nearly half of the National Museum of Chernobyl’s main exhibition. The Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that approximately 40% of the museum’s artifacts were irretrievably lost.
“Today’s strike aimed to destroy not only lives but also memory. About 40% of the exhibits from the National Museum of Chernobyl have been irretrievably lost,” the ministry stated.
Emergency responders and museum staff promptly began evacuating remaining artifacts, successfully preserving items from storage, including a painting by Maria Prymachenko and the Ukrainian flag that was raised at Chernobyl following its liberation in 2022.
Tensions rise as Russia announces plans for strikes on Kyiv, while Iran and the U.S. make progress in negotiations. Belarusian opposition leader Tihanovskaya visits Ukraine, emphasizing solidarity against Russian aggression. A missile strike on Kyiv has devastated the National Museum of Chernobyl, destroying a significant portion of its exhibits.