US opposes joint G7 statement on further support for Ukraine, Politico reports
This is not the first time that the U.S. has blocked joint G7 statements in support of Ukraine and condemning Russia's war.
United States
US Senate to vote on new Russia sanctions unless peace efforts progress soon, Senator Graham says
The U.S.-mediated negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have stalled, as Moscow continues to refuse a ceasefire.
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.
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.
'Trump doesn't know how to deal with gangsters' — US lets Ukraine down, once again
In what is now a semi-regular occurrence, the workings of U.S.-led global diplomacy has cast a dark shadow over Ukraine. U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on May 19 in the latest attempt to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine. The call came
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.
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.
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.
'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.
'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."
Majority of Americans believe Putin stalling peace talks, back sanctions if Russia refuses to negotiate, poll shows
Over 60% of Americans believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is "stalling" peace talks involving the United States, and back weaponry shipments to Ukraine and additional sanctions if Russia refuses to negotiate a peace deal, according to a Harvard CAPS Harris poll released on May 19.
Trump threatens to 'back away' from Ukraine-Russia peace talks if progress is not made
"I tell you, big egos involved, but I think something's going to happen. And if it doesn't, I just back away, and they're going to have to keep going," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
Trump says he will not impose new sanctions on Russia
“Because I think there’s a chance of getting something done, and if you do that, you could also make it much worse," Trump told reporters from the Oval Office on May 19.
Trump says he trusts Putin, won't sanction Russia, prepared to 'back away' from Ukraine peace talks
U.S. President Donald Trump, in separate statements, told reporters on May 19 that he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, will not sanction Russia, but will abandon Ukraine peace efforts if progress is not made.
'Strong EU sanctions' coming soon, US expected to sanction Russian banks, energy, Zelensky says
Ukraine knows the date that the EU package will go into effect, though the president did not share that detail in his remarks. Zelensky also said he expects the U.S. to impose sanctions 'when they see fit.'
Ukraine eyes peace talks with Russia, US, and EU in neutral venue, possibly Vatican, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 19 said that Kyiv is exploring the possibility of a meeting with delegations from Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the EU in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland.
Trump calls Putin after Ukraine, Russia peace talks in Istanbul
The call comes days after largely inconclusive negotiations in Istanbul, where Russia sent a delegation of low-level officials and reiterated sweeping territorial demands, including that Ukraine accept the loss of Crimea and four eastern regions.
EU coordinating next Russia sanctions with US, Germany says
Washington's participation in a potential sanctions package would be "very central," German government spokesperson Stefan Cornelius said.
Kremlin confirms Putin-Trump call on May 19 to discuss Istanbul peace talks
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the conversation between the two leaders is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time and will "reflect the outcomes of last week’s negotiations in Istanbul" between Russian and Ukrainian delegations.
Trump growing impatient with Russia, Finnish president says
"If you put it together, you could say that Zelensky is patient and President Trump is getting impatient, but in the right direction, which is towards Russia," Finnish President Alexander Stubb said after holding separate talks with both Trump and Zelensky this weekend.
Zelensky meets Vance for first time since Oval Office showdown, discuss Istanbul peace talks, sanctions on Russia
"During our talks we discussed negotiations in Istanbul to where the Russians sent a low level delegation of non-decision-makers," Zelensky wrote on X.
Rubio says Vatican could host peace talks, praises Holy See’s role in Ukraine war
Asked whether the Vatican could act as a peace broker, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he "wouldn’t call it broker, but it’s certainly — I think it’s a place that both sides would be comfortable going."
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.
US to begin talks on troop reductions in Europe later this year, America’s NATO envoy says
"It’s more than 30 years of U.S. desire (to reduce troops in Europe), President Trump just said, enough, this is going to happen and it’s going to happen now," U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said.
'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.
'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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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