Trump-Zelensky clash and US talks with Russia | Ukraine This Week

9:17 AM

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.

6:20 AM

Russian economic growth slowing down, Rosstat reports.

Russia's economy is experiencing a sharp slowdown in growth, according to a report released by the governmental statistics agency Rosstat on May 16. GDP only grew by 1.4% in the first quarter of 2025 – a notable decline from 4.5% growth in the previous quarter and 5.4% in the same period last year.

2:44 AM

'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."

12:54 AM

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.

11:40 PM

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.

9:57 PM

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul end, Moscow demands Kyiv withdraw from 4 regions, no ceasefire agreement.

9:55 PM

Opinion

5 lies Europe tells itself about Russia’s criminal war

9:51 PM

Trump & Russia

'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.

9:46 PM

Syria reportedly ends currency printing deal with Russia, eyes UAE, Germany for new banknotes.

As sanctions against Syria ease, the new leadership is seeking deeper ties with Arab and Western countries, ending its reliance on Moscow.

8:28 PM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 9:23 pm)

War analysis

'It's all a farce' — Ukrainian soldiers react to peace talks in Istanbul

3:33 PM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 9:21 pm)

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.

8:43 PM

'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.

8:32 PM

Peace Talks

Who is Vladimir Medinsky? The Putin aide leading Russia’s delegation at Ukraine peace talks

8:29 PM

Eurovision

Three years into full-scale war, Eurovision still hasn’t solved its Russia problem

7:36 PM

'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.

6:57 PM

Video

With Ukraine’s Peaky Blinders chasing Russian soldiers near Pokrovsk.

The Kyiv Independent's Francis Farrell and Olena Zashko spent a day with one of Ukraine's most effective drone units, "Peaky Blinders." As Russian forces continue to push across the front line, Peaky Blinders are tasked with stopping Russian assaults near the embattled city of Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast.

4:34 PM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 6:42 pm)

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.

4:56 PM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 6:16 pm)

'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.

6:04 PM

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.

11:32 PM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 5:54 pm)

When did the war in Ukraine start? A timeline of Russia's aggression

Russia's war against Ukraine began immediately following the end of the EuroMaidan Revolution in February 2014, when Russia swiftly moved to annex and occupy Crimea

2:09 AM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 5:21 pm)

Up to 640,000 Russian troops fighting against Ukraine, Syrskyi says.

Vadym Skibitskyi, the deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), reported in March that Russia had deployed 620,000 soldiers to fight in Ukraine, a rise from his previous estimate of nearly 580,000 in November 2024.

2:59 PM

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.

2:40 PM

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.

10:51 AM  (Updated:  May 16, 2025 1:40 pm)

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.

1:37 PM

Peace Talks

BREAKING: 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.