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1:25 PM

Ukraine reportedly accuses Russia of undermining peace talks with last-minute demands.

Ukraine has blamed Russia for undermining the expected peace talks in Istanbul by demanding a one-on-one meeting, excluding Turkish or U.S. officials, at the last minute, Sky News and the Guardian reported on May 16.

1:21 PM

Ukraine brings back bodies of 909 fallen soldiers.

The bodies of soldiers were recovered from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts as well as from morgues in Russia.

12:59 PM

Trump says he's returning to US, expects to meet Putin 'as soon as we can set it up.'

"I think it’s time for us to just do it," U.S. Presidnet Donald Trump said in Abu Dhabi, adding that the meeting between the two would happen "as soon as we can set it up."

Romania heads to historic presidential runoff as populist and pro-EU candidate are neck-and-neck

7:17 PM

(Updated: May 16, 2025 12:27 pm)

Eastern Europe

Romania heads to historic presidential runoff as pro and anti-Ukraine candidate are neck-and-neck

Editor's note: this article was updated on May 16 with the latest polling data. Just days before the Romanian presidential election runoff, the two presidential hopefuls are neck-and-neck in the polls. Polling by AtlasIntel, released on May 13, showed far-right George Simion and liberal pro-EU Bucharest Mayor Nicusor Dan were

12:04 PM

NATO set to agree on 5% GDP defense spending, Rubio says.

"We are headed for a summit in six weeks in which virtually every member of NATO will be at or above 2%, but more importantly, many of them will be over 4% and all will have agreed on a goal of reaching 5% over the next decade," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

Ukrainian delegates meet Kellogg, French, German, UK advisors before Istanbul talks

10:40 AM

(Updated: May 16, 2025 11:34 am)

Ukrainian delegates meet Kellogg, French, German, UK advisors before Istanbul talks.

Presidential Office Chief Andriy Yermak, Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with French, German, U.K., and the U.S. officials in Istanbul on May 16, Suspilne reported, citing sources in the Ukrainian delegation.

'It's a mess' — after all the hype, Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul descend into name-calling shambles

10:04 PM

(Updated: May 16, 2025 11:09 am)

Peace Talks

'It's a mess' — after all the hype, Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul descend into name-calling shambles

Istanbul — it’s where Asia meets Europe, but as we now know, not where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian attacks kill 3, injure 15 in Ukraine over past day

9:24 AM

(Updated: May 16, 2025 11:08 am)

Russian attacks kill 3, injure 15 in Ukraine over past day.

The attacks took place as Russian and Ukrainian delegates are set to meet in Istanbul in what would be the first direct negotiations between the two parties since 2022.

9:51 AM

Ukraine, Russia, Turkey to hold trilateral peace talks after midday, media reports.

Ukrainian, Russian, and Turkish officials will hold a trilateral discussion in Istanbul on May 16 at 12:30 p.m. local time as part of peace efforts, Turkish state news agency Anadolu reported, citing Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.

9:29 AM

Zelensky arrives in Albania for European Political Community summit.

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Albania on May 16 to attend the summit of the European Political Community, presidential spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov said, according to the state news channel Freedom TV.

Explosions heard in Kyiv amid Russian drone attack as Ukraine-Russia peace talks loom

6:54 AM

(Updated: May 16, 2025 9:10 am)

Explosions heard in Kyiv amid Russian drone attack as Ukraine-Russia peace talks loom.

Explosions were heard in Kyiv amid a Russian drone attack on the capital in the early hours of May 16, as Ukraine and Russia are set to begin peace talks later in the day.

9:05 AM

Explosions rock occupied Crimea as drone attack reportedly sets Russian ammo depot on fire.

A fire broke out at an ammunition depot in the village of Perevalne in Russian-occupied Crimea following a series of explosions during a drone attack on the morning of May 16, the Crimean Wind Telegram channel reported, citing local residents.

8:08 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 971,690 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,100 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

8:06 AM

Ukraine 'lost contact' with F-16 during combat, pilot ejected, Air Force says.

The Air Force "lost contact" with an F-16 jet during a mission to repel a Russian aerial attack overnight on May 16 following an emergency situation on board, the Air Force reported.

7:51 AM

Ukraine to receive $84 million from World Bank to restore homes damaged in Russia's war.

Ukraine will receive $84 million from the World Bank to restore housing damaged in Russia's war, the Finance Ministry announced on May 15.

7:20 AM

Ukrainian citizen charged in arson attacks on UK Prime Minister's property.

Ukrainian citizen, Roman Lavrynovych, was charged on May 15 following a series of arson attacks on property linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

5:52 AM

Ukraine faces more diplomatic pressure to end war than Russia, Zelensky says.

"Ukraine is fighting for itself, we are not ready to lose our lives and our land. It doesn't mean that we are aggressors," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

3:57 AM

'Putin did not show up' — EU to adopt Russian sanctions on May 20 after Putin snubbed peace talks with Zelensky.

The European Union will adopt sanctions against Russia on May 20 in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's declining to attend face-to-face talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 15.

11:44 PM

Russia ready to begin peace talks with Ukraine on May 16, Russian official says.

A Russian delegation will await its Ukrainian counterparts to begin direct peace talks at 10 a.m. local time in Istanbul on May 16, Vladimir Medinsky, Russia's delegation lead and advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

10:46 PM

'We didn't oppose it' — Rubio denies opposing Zelensky's participation at NATO summit.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 15 denied reports that the United States opposes President Volodymyr Zelensky's participation at the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague.

Ukraine war latest: Zelensky sends delegation to Turkey, as peace talks with Russia are expected on May 16

10:14 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Zelensky sends delegation to Istanbul, as peace talks with Russia are expected on May 16

Key developments on May 15: * Zelensky sends Ukrainian delegation to Istanbul, as peace talks with Russia are expected on May 16 * Trump expects no progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks until he meets Putin * Pro-Ukraine partisans sabotage railway track near Russia's Smolensk * Ukraine shows its latest 'ship-killer' Magura drone series to

5:06 PM

(Updated: May 15, 2025 10:03 pm)

Zelensky sends Ukrainian delegation to Istanbul, as peace talks with Russia are expected on May 16.

"Out of respect for President Trump, the high level of the Turkish delegation, and President Erdogan, and since we want to try to achieve at least the first steps toward de-escalation, an end to the war – namely a ceasefire – I have decided to send our delegation to Istanbul," Zelensky said.

9:41 PM

Putin appoints Russian Ground Forces Commander Saliukov to Security Council role.

It remains unclear who will replace General Oleg Saliukov as commander of the Ground Forces.

9:25 PM

Level of Russian delegation 'not indicative' of breakthrough in Istanbul peace talks, Rubio says.

U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio said that meaningful progress would likely only come through a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

8:45 PM

Putin delays ceasefire by snubbing peace talks with Zelensky, Starmer says.

"What's happened today is further evidence that it's Putin who is dragging his feet," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

7:32 PM

Norway to complete F-16 deliveries to Ukraine by end of 2025, minister says.

The country confirmed in July 2024 that it would donate several of the U.S.-made aircraft as part of Western efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.

7:13 PM

US proposes reviving NATO-Russia Council, Bloomberg reports.

The United States is proposing to revive the NATO-Russia Council as part of a broader American plan to end the war in Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on May 15, citing unnamed sources.

4:51 PM

Putin extends Russia’s current defense strategy to 2027 amid expected peace talks with Ukraine in Turkey.

The extension of the current defense plan, initially set for 2021–2025, was confirmed by the Kremlin, though specific details remain classified.

4:44 PM

Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 25

Editor’s note: This is issue 25 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from May 5–May 11, 2025. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission. Benchmarks

4:04 PM

‘My heart goes out to the beloved people of Ukraine’ — Pope Leo XIV receives list of Ukrainian POWs at Vatican.

The Ukrainian delegation present in the Vatican included the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, who congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election.

3:56 PM

'Bark from Moscow' — Kyiv hits back as Russian Foreign Ministry insults Zelensky.

"Not the first time the Russian Foreign Ministry becomes a laughing stock," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said after his Russian counterpart, Maria Zakharova, called Zelensky a "clown."

3:35 PM

Trump expects no progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks until he meets Putin.

"Nothing's going to happen until Putin and I get together," U.S. President Donald Trump told journalists aboard Air Force One before landing in Dubai as part of his Middle Eastern tour.

News Feed

8:17 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 1,028,610 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,070 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

7:56 AM

EU to impose 'toughest' sanctions on Russia in coordination with US senators, French foreign minister says.

"This (war) cannot continue; it must stop. To achieve this, in coordination with American senators, Europe is preparing to introduce, based on French proposals, the toughest sanctions we have imposed in the last three years," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.

6:25 AM

Kellogg, Umerov set to meet, discuss resumption of US military aid to Ukraine, Politico reports.

Following the talks between U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in Rome, Politico reported that more meetings are set to take place in Kyiv over the next two weeks.

4:15 AM

'They have to be able to defend themselves' — Trump says US will send additional weapons shipments to Ukraine, criticizes Putin.

"They're getting hit very hard. We're gonna have to send more weapons, your defensive weapons primarily," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

2:53 AM

Russia jails former top general for 17 years in massive military graft case.

Colonel General Khalil Arslanov, a former head of the Russian military's communications unit, served as deputy chief of the army's General Staff from 2013 until his removal in 2020.

12:47 AM

Russia fails to meet OPEC+ oil production target in June, Bloomberg reports.

Historically, Russia, which co-leads the OPEC+ alliance with Saudi Arabia, has faced criticism for poor compliance with production quotas.

6:44 PM

(Updated: July 8, 2025 12:20 am)

Russia strikes conscription offices in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia, injuring dozens, Ukraine says.

Two districts of Kharkiv came under attack that same day, in which one woman was killed and over 80 people, including eight children, were reported injured or suffered shock in Kharkiv, according to the local prosecutor's office.

10:32 PM

UK sanctions Russian officials and lab over chemical weapons use in Ukraine.

According to the updated sanctions list published on the U.K. government's official website, the new measures target Russia's Scientific Research Institute of Applied Chemistry, as well as Lieutenant General Alexei Rtishchev, head of Russia's Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defense Troops, and his deputy, Andrei Marchenko.

10:27 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Russian airports cancel nearly 300 flights amid drone attacks on Russia

8:59 PM

EBRD to unlock $1 billion in credit for Ukraine's key sectors, considers mineral projects.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will enable Ukrainian banks to provide up to 900 million euros ($1.05 billion) in new loans by sharing credit risks.

8:23 PM

Russian weapons contain growing number of Chinese components, Zelensky's adviser says.

Russia’s growing ability to sustain weapons production despite Western sanctions is being driven by a flow of Chinese components and materials, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian president’s commissioner for sanctions, told journalists on July 7.

7:45 PM

Minerals

Exclusive: Ukraine pitches deepwater gas, oil refinery projects to US under landmark minerals deal

7:43 PM

Opinion

War has changed: Ukraine’s tech pioneers are leading the fight West can’t afford to ignore

6:00 PM

(Updated: July 7, 2025 7:29 pm)

Russian-Chinese relations

Russia striking NATO while China invades Taiwan 'plausible' scenario, experts say

6:54 PM

Interview

‘Neither side wasted time' — Ukraine's economy minister on minerals deal negotiations with Trump’s ‘business-oriented’ administration

5:49 PM

5 suspects charged over deadly explosion in Ukraine's Zhytomyr Oblast.

According to prosecutors, one of the company directors had established illegal production of explosive materials and involved unqualified personnel without the necessary training or certification.

12:17 PM

(Updated: July 7, 2025 5:42 pm)

Ukraine confirms drone strike on Russian chemical plant near Moscow.

The Krasnozavodsk Chemical Plant is one of the city's biggest employers and an important part of Russia's defense-industrial complex.

5:23 PM

Russian airlines face $254 million losses from just 2 days of Ukrainian drone strikes, Kremlin media reports.

Since the start of mass disruptions on July 5, a total of 485 flights were canceled, 88 were diverted to alternate airports, and another 1,900 were delayed across major hubs, according to Russia's aviation agency Rosaviatsiya.

5:12 PM

EXCLUSIVE: Ukraine economy minister breaks down US minerals deal.

The Kyiv Independent's business editor Liliane Bivings sits down with Ukraine's Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to discuss the U.S.-Ukraine "minerals deal" and address the myths surrounding it.

4:10 PM

(Updated: July 7, 2025 4:45 pm)

Russian transport minister fired by Putin reportedly shoots himself dead.

According to Russian media, ex-Transport Minister Roman Starovoit's body was found near Moscow. Preliminary findings suggest that the suicide may be linked to a possible criminal case.

3:01 PM

Ukrainian drone strike hits major oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar Krai, HUR source claims.

Located roughly 500 kilometers (311 miles) from Ukrainian-controlled territory, the refinery is among the largest in southern Russia, producing over 6 million tons of fuel annually.

2:38 PM

HUR publishes Russian military order, claims proof of Moscow increasing military footprint in Armenia.

HUR first made the claim on July 5, saying Russia was increasing its forces at the Gyumri base to exert greater influence in the South Caucasus and "destabilize the global security situation."

2:19 PM

(Updated: July 7, 2025 1:43 pm)

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