Ukraine’s Security Service begins preparations for 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap with Russia
The planned exchange follows an agreement reached between Ukrainian and Russian delegations during talks in Istanbul on May 16, 2025.
Ukraine
Lavrov, Rubio discuss results of Istanbul peace talks, Russian media reports
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reportedly welcomed what he described as a “constructive” role by Washington in encouraging Kyiv to accept President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to resume peace talks in Istanbul.
Russia sentences Australian fighting for Ukraine to 13 years in prison in sham trial
The so-called Supreme Court of the Russian-controlled Luhansk Oblast found Jenkins guilty under Russian criminal law for participating in armed conflict as a mercenary.
1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange likely to take place next week, Ukraine intelligence chief says
A major prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia involving around 1,000 POWs from each side is expected to take place next week, Ukraine's military intelligence chief said on air on May 17, following an agreement reached in Istanbul.
Putin signs decree easing Russian citizenship process for residents of occupied Abkhazia, South Ossetia
According to the decree, all adult "citizens" of Abkhazia and South Ossetia who held that status as of Aug. 26, 2008, the day Russia recognized the territories as "independent," are now eligible to apply for Russian citizenship through an expedited process.
Russian strikes kill at least 13, injure over 30 across Ukraine in past 24 hours
Russian forces launched a massive drone assault across Ukraine overnight, using 62 drones including Shahed-type attack UAVs and decoy drones from Russia and occupied Crimea.
Moscow questions Kyiv's authority, says Ukraine's choice of signatory key to any peace deal
"For Russia, the most important and principal matter when signing documents between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations is the identity of the person authorized to sign on behalf of Ukraine," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Ukrainian drones strike Russian ammunition depot in occupied Crimea, source says
The depot, located near a key highway between Simferopol and Alushta, reportedly housed military equipment, ammunition, and fuel storage facilities. Local residents reportedly described thick smoke over the military compound.
Russian drone strike on civilian bus in Sumy kills 9, injures 7
Russia launched a drone strike on Sumy Oblast in the early morning of May 17, killing nine people and injuring four more. The drone targeted a shuttle bus that was transporting civilians near the city of Bilopillia at 6:17 a.m. local time.
Polish PM Tusk blames Russian hackers for cyberattacks ahead of presidential election
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the cyberattacks hit the website of his Civic Platform party, as well as those of its coalition partners, the Left and the Polish People’s Party (PSL).
General Staff: Russia has lost 972,600 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
The number includes 910 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
'This is turkey time' — Trump vows sanctions on Moscow if peace talks fail, says Putin is 'tired' of war
"Honestly, I will (impose sanctions), if we're not gonna make a deal," Trump told Fox News’ Bret Baier in an interview published on May 16. "This would be crushing for Russia because they're having a hard time now with the economy."
As Russia sticks to hardline demands during peace talks, Europe frustrated with Trump’s swerves, Bloomberg reports
European officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they remain unsure of U.S. President Donald Trump's next move and fear that his unpredictable stance could undercut momentum toward a unified Western response.
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul end, Moscow demands Kyiv withdraw from 4 regions, no ceasefire agreement
Key developments on May 16: * Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul end, Moscow demands Kyiv withdraw from 4 regions, no ceasefire agreement * Up to 640,000 Russian troops fighting against Ukraine, Syrskyi says * Ukraine 'lost contact' with F-16 during combat, pilot ejected, Air Force says * Putin appoints general who led Mariupol assault
5 lies Europe tells itself about Russia’s criminal war
Editor's note: This opinion first appeared in German in Süddeutsche Zeitung. Russia’s President — a wanted war criminal — Vladimir Putin failed to show up in Istanbul for the “direct talks” with Ukraine that he himself proposed. For the Kremlin to wage an unprovoked war of conquest, reject a ceasefire, and
'Putin is laughing at Trump' — Ukraine in disbelief as Russia makes a mockery of US-led ceasefire attempts
"In Putin’s eyes, all the leaders of the Western world are weaklings and suckers," Ukrainian infantryman "Mamai," told the Kyiv Independent.
'We have to increase the pressure' — Von der Leyen vows new Russia sanctions after Putin skips peace talks
Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Commission is preparing a new sanctions package, which would include sanctions on the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, additional listings of vessels from Russia's shadow fleet, a lower oil price cap, and sanctions on Russia's financial sector.
Who is Vladimir Medinsky? The Putin aide leading Russia’s delegation at Ukraine peace talks
Despite an invitation from President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet face to face in Istanbul, President Vladimir Putin was a no-show in Turkey, sending instead an aide, Vladimir Medinsky, to head the Russian delegation in peace talks. Medinsky headed the last and only other direct talks between the two sides in
Three years into full-scale war, Eurovision still hasn’t solved its Russia problem
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in neutral Switzerland, but politics are center stage. While debate continues over Israel’s participation amid the war in Gaza, Russia — banned from the contest since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine — continues to cast a shadow over the event. This year,
'It's all a farce' — Ukrainian soldiers on Russia's 'smokescreen' peace talks in Istanbul
The first direct peace talks in years between Kyiv and Moscow ended on May 16 with Russia once again rejecting an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. In turn, Russia demanded that Ukrainian troops leave four of the country's regions, which Moscow partly controls. Such a demand is a non-starter for Ukraine. Ukrainian
'It was my duty to step down' — Former US Ambassador to Ukraine confirms resignation over Trump's policy
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, who held the role since 2022, accused the Trump administration of prioritizing pressure on Ukraine, the victim of Russia's full-scale invasion, rather than confronting the Kremlin.
Ukraine, Russia agree to hold follow-up meeting after Istanbul peace talks, Turkish FM says
"Parties have agreed in principle to come together again," Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said.
'Time to increase the pressure' — Zelensky, European leaders speak with Trump following Istanbul peace talks
The conversation took place shortly after the conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Istanbul, which ended with little progress beyond an agreement on prisoner exchange.
Russia, Ukraine agree on 1,000-for-1,000 POW exchange in Istanbul, Umerov says
"We know the date, but we're not going to say it yet," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.
Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul end, Moscow demands Kyiv withdraw from 4 regions, no ceasefire agreement
Some of Russia's demands include the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from their own territory as a condition for a ceasefire, an unnamed Ukrainian source told Sky News.
Putin appoints general who led Mariupol assault as new Russian Ground Forces Commander
Under Andrey Mordvichev’s command, Russian troops carried out the destruction of civilian infrastructure and committed atrocities against both civilians and the Ukrainian military, Ukraine has said.
European summit in Albania to focus on tougher sanctions against Russia, Politico reports
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the next set of EU sanctions will target Nord Stream, more "shadow fleet" listings, a lower oil price cap, and new measures targeting Russian and third-country banks aiding the war effort, according to the Kyiv Independent reporter.
Ukraine, Russia start peace talks in Turkey for first time since 2022
The meeting marks the first direct negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow since 2022.
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.
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.
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."
Ukraine holds meeting with US, Turkey ahead of peace talks with Russia
Later in the day, the Ukrainian delegation is set to meet Russian officials for the first direct negotiations since 2022, with Turkish representatives also to be present. Separate meetings between the Russian and U.S. officials are expected.
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