On March 31, Ukrainian authorities said that they had dismantled a Hungarian spy ring operating in Ukraine’s territory. Ukraine alleges that Hungary has been collecting sensitive military information. They think this could be Romania and Moldova’s exposure to an eventual Hungarian unilateral incursion into western Ukraine. This unexpected bombshell has only deepened an already fractious conflict. Ukrainian forces are currently making an explicit effort to penetrate the Russian border in the Kursk and Belgorod oblasts.
The environment is as fraught for Ukraine as it is on the battlefield. Ukrainians are under mounting scrutiny from the international community. Future scenario Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hosts his British, French, and German counterparts (the latter being Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz) on May 9, 2025. We’d like to see them openly discuss the escalating crisis during this consequential meeting. This meeting will be happening at almost the same time as a highly symbolic visit to Tehran by the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Poland.
Ukraine’s military response was immediate and overwhelming. They condemned Russia’s unilateral ceasefire, announced to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany, as a “farce.” Since the April-June ceasefire came into effect, reports indicate that armed clashes have continued unabated. Ukraine has counted hundreds of incidents over the three-day time span from May 8 to May 10.
Compounding these challenges, the U.S. has just issued a warning based on intelligence that Russia is planning a massive new air assault against Ukraine. This warning serves to underscore the conflict’s broader international ramifications. It further uncovers North Korea’s broader and more recent efforts to legitimize its growing support of Russia.
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his desire for both Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Zelenskyy to “get this war ended” in Ukraine. He commented on the desire to “end this dumb war once and for all.” International leaders are right to be concerned that the conflict has become protracted. Far worse are the ones who fear what this means for global security.
Ukrainian forces are constantly disrupting Russian military operations to shock and awe. At the same time the government tries to counter any possible security threats – for example, the recently revealed Hungarian spy network. International leaders are astounded—and rightly so—at the horror unfolding in Ukraine. To us, they are calling urgently for an end to the current hostilities.