80% of Kharkiv zoo animals evacuated to safety.

5:59 AM

Trump refusing to adopt sanctions against Russia as it would affect business opportunities with Moscow, NYT reports.

Speaking to the New York Times on the condition of anonymity, a White House official familiar with the call, said that imposing sanctions could impede Trump's goal of "maximizing economic opportunities for Americans," the publication wrote.

4:53 AM

Radio Free Europe to receive $6.2 million in 'emergency funding' from EU amid Trump cuts.

The European Union is preparing to provide Radio Free Europe with a contract valued at 5.5 million euros ($6.2 million) in "emergency funding" to support the ongoing work of the media organization amid the Trump administration's funding cuts.

2:49 AM

EU to downsize diplomatic service, prioritize Russia sanctions enforcement, POLITICO reports.

The European Union is preparing to downsize its diplomatic service – the European External Action Service (EEAS) – and redirect funds toward strategic interests such as enforcing sanctions against Russia, POLITICO reported on May 20.

1:38 AM

EU to lift economic sanctions on Syria.

Top European Union diplomat Kaja Kallas announced on May 20 that the EU has "agreed to lift all economic sanctions" on Syria, adding that "there can be no peace without the path to economic recovery."

12:51 AM

Poland to try suspect in alleged Russian plot to assassinate Zelensky.

Polish prosecutors have indicted a man charged with allegedly planning to assist Russian foreign intelligence in a possible assassination attempt on President Volodymyr Zelensky, authorities announced on May 20.

12:50 AM

US senators introduce bipartisan resolution demanding return of abducted Ukrainian children.

In a rare display of bipartisan unity, a group of U.S. senators has introduced a resolution calling for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, urging that no peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine be finalized until all minors are safely repatriated.

10:53 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: 'Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war' — Zelensky says after Putin-Trump call

9:47 PM

Europe

‘There we go again’ — For war-weary Europe, Trump-Putin call yet another signal to ‘wake up’

9:26 PM

Far-right candidate Simion contests Romanian election loss, alleges foreign interference.

"I officially ask the Constitutional Court to annul the Romanian presidential elections for the same reasons the December elections were annulled: external interferences by state and non-state actors," George Simion wrote on X.

8:53 PM

Trump & Ukraine

'Trump doesn't know how to deal with gangsters' — US lets Ukraine down, once again

8:40 PM

Opinion

Because of Russia, my child understood fear early

8:39 PM

Hungary claims it exposed 2 Ukrainian 'spies' amid mutual espionage accusations.

Prior, Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) claimed that it had exposed a Hungarian espionage network in western Ukraine, detaining two agents. In response, Hungary expelled two Ukrainian diplomats, a move met with reciprocal expulsions by Kyiv.

7:48 PM

Rubio says US, NATO seek more Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine.

Ukraine has consistently warned that its current air defense capacity is insufficient to counter the scale of Russia's intensified missile and drone attacks.

6:56 PM

Azovstal

‘No one saw surrender as an option’ – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity

6:45 PM

Kyiv to receive 400,000 more shells from Czech initiative, Ukraine's PM says.

The country's opposition party, ANO, has threatened to suspend the munitions initiative if it wins parliamentary elections in October 2025.

6:16 PM

Russia sends 20,000 recently naturalized citizens to fight in Ukraine, top official says.

"Already 20,000 'young' citizens of Russia, who for some reason do not like living in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, are on the front lines," Russian Investigative Committee Head Alexander Bastrykin said.

6:11 PM

Zelensky proposes free trade agreement to Trump, Kyiv says.

Ukraine and the U.S. launched initial talks on a free trade zone back in 2021.

4:53 PM

Russia releases Green Admire tanker seized after leaving Estonian port.

The detention followed recent moves by Estonia and its neighbors to clamp down on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet," which is used to bypass Western oil sanctions.

4:43 PM

Trump administration considers deporting nearly 200,000 Ukrainians using foreign aid funds, WP reports.

During Joe Biden's presidency, Ukrainians and Haitians were granted temporary protection, allowing them to stay in the U.S. if they could not return to their home country.

2:44 PM  (Updated:  May 20, 2025 3:54 pm)

Norway's Crown Prince Haakon arrives in Ukraine in historic visit, meets Zelensky.

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway arrived in Ukraine on May 20, marking the first visit by a member of the Norwegian royal family during Russia's invasion.

3:28 PM

Zelensky had to remind Trump peace talks already underway during call with EU leaders, Axios reports.

Donald Trump told the leaders that Vladimir Putin agreed to start direct negotiations on a ceasefire immediately, which led to a few seconds of "puzzled silence," Axios reported.

2:57 PM

Opinion

Polish FM: Europe’s existential choice

2:20 PM

'Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war' — Zelensky says after Putin-Trump call.

"Clear and realistic proposals must be on the table. Ukraine is ready for any effective negotiation format. And if Russia continues to put forward unrealistic conditions and undermine possible results, there must be harsh consequences," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

1:40 PM

UK unveils new Russia sanctions, accuses Moscow of delaying peace efforts.

The measures, announced in coordination with the EU's 17th sanctions package, target "entities supporting Russia’s military machine, energy exports and information war, as well as financial institutions" supporting the Russian war effort.

1:11 PM

'Status quo hasn't changed' — Ukraine reacts to Putin-Trump call.

Putin and Trump held a phone call on May 19, during which the Russian leader refused to agree to a ceasefire and instead declared readiness to negotiate a "memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty."