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.
Ukraine
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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