Putin Allegedly Agrees To Ceasefire Discussions With Ukraine
Yet Russia continues to attack Ukraine
The date was 15 May 2025, when Putin said he would be willing to have direct discussions with Ukraine on a ceasefire agreement in Turkey. As expected, that day came and went and Putin was a no show, and sent a Russian delegation instead but did not even include Lavrov, which suggests the Russians aren’t taking these meetings seriously
Zelenskyy arrived in Ankara for another meeting with Erdogan, and said he would travel to Istanbul to meet Putin if he was there. So there we have more stalling from Putin, where Russia insists on conditions for a ceasefire, and who state there is no deadline (as imposed by Starmer and Macron as the coalition of the willing). Russia insists that Ukraine withdraws from the occupied territories which is ridiculous as that is basically handing over Ukrainian territory to Russia, and unless that happens then they aren’t interested in talks.
We’ve seen this before, where Russia issues conditions which forces Ukraine to basically surrender, and we all know that Russia has not genuine intention of ending the war unless they get what they want which is Ukrainian territory and Ukraine to be left defenceless
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The US under Trump still believe that Putin wants peace and has rejected the G7 statement (on support for Ukraine) stating that the Russian invasion of Ukraine is illegal. This makes you wonder whether the US can be trusted, even though the minerals deal has been signed and ratified in the Ukrainian Parliament. The US won’t see any money from the minerals for at least a decade and that’s after the war has ended.
A new Pope has been inaugurated and Pope Leo XIV who is American has been seen as a positive step in aiding peace negotiations, where the Vatican has been suggested as neutral ground for hosting talks.
There really hasn’t been much progress, more talks, and talks of more summits, and meanwhile, Ukraine continues to be attacked with drones and missiles in residential areas, and public transport has also been targeted. The allies in Europe (where many of the leaders have changed since the start of the war) are firm in that they will not stop supporting Ukraine, mainly because the threat of a Russian invasion to bordering countries is real. Finland has reported more Russian activity near the border with more army bases being built, and Poland has reinforced its border, while other countries are limiting visas of those who travel back and forth to Russia. The main danger are Russian spies who infiltrate government offices and who seize power that way as is what happened in Ukraine.
Day 1173 (12 May)
Ukraine ratifies the mineral deal with the US.
The deadline for Russia to agree a ceasefire came and went. Putin stalled for time saying that he would meet Zelenskyy for talks on 15 May 2025, and would speak to Erdogan of Turkey to host the talks. Europe stated they will implement further sanctions and the rest of week is spent planning the sanctions package.
Day 1174 (13 May)
Two additional agreements had been added to the minerals deal, also called the American – Ukrainian reconstruction investment fund. One was 60 pages and the other 20 pages, and is based on the fund being on a 50-50 basis where both parties have equal voting rights. Ukraine also retained full control over the subsoil, infrastructure and natural resources, and the US agrees that this agreement will not be an obstacle to Ukraine's ascension to the EU. It's also agreed that this fund is based on new investments and not debts as Trump originally claimed, and the fund will invest in projects and guarantee commercial purchases on products on a take or pay basis.
In Poland, the Return of Ukrainian program was launched by JSC, who claimed that Ukrainians that that left the country are seeking to return and this would assist in getting a job in Ukraine.
Day 1175 (14 May)
In Luxembourg, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has launched the process of establishing the special tribunal, that will investigate the crimes of aggression against Ukraine.
Day 1176 (15 May)
Putin failed to attend peace talks in Istanbul (but no one really expected him to show up) and sent a delegation instead. Zelenskyy was in Ankara in talks with Erdogan, and did not attend the talks in Istanbul, but said he would have gone if Putin was going to be there. Both countries were represented by delegations.
Day 1177 (16 May)
Bridget Brink, the former US Ambassador to Ukraine gave an interview as to why she resigned. She stated should could not continue in her role in good conscience with an administration that ‘put pressure on the victim (Ukraine) and not the aggressor (Russia)
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The first talks between Russia and Ukraine since 2022 lasted about 2 hours, but nothing new came out of the talks. Russia insisted that western allies cease to supply weapons to Ukraine, and for Ukraine to withdraw from occupied regions of Ukraine. Neither are acceptable conditions as talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations amounted to nothing. Russia said they are prepared to fight as long as necessary.
Zelenskyy arrives in Tirana, Albania (European Political Community meeting) with Macron, Starmer, Merz, and Tusk to discuss the meeting in Istanbul. Trump also joined in by phone, as sanctions were discussed as it was clear Russia did not wish to pursue peace talks. Trump said he would speak to Putin on Monday 19 May 2025, and would wait until then to decide. The EU said they would adopt new sanctions on 20 May 2025 as Putin failed to show up for peace talks
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Ukraine repatriated 909 bodies of fallen soldiers.
Ukraine claims that $770 million of weapons that was paid to foreign brokers have never been delivered.
Day 1178 (17 May)
In Sumy, a Russian drone strikes a civilian boss killing nine and injuring four people.
Oscar Jenkins, an Australian who was fighting for Ukraine has been imprisoned by Russia for 13 years for participating in an armed conflict as a mercenary.
Zelenskyy dismissed Russia’s demand to withdraw troops from the 4 occupied Ukrainian regions, saying:
It means that they don't want peace. If they demand what they know we won't agree to.
Day 1179 (18 May)
Zelenskyy and other world leaders and members of royal families across the globe attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV. Zelenskyy and his wife were also invited to a private meeting afterwards. Putin did not attend, but Olga Lyubimova, the minister of culture of Russia did attend
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Zelenskyy meets Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese( newly re-elected0 in Rome to discuss defence support.
Russia is to launch the training of Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles, that have a range of 11,000 km and a power equivalent of 1 million tons of TNT.
Day 1180 (19 May)
Trump holds phone calls with Putin and Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy first, then Putin, then back to Zelenskyy and claims that the countries will start ceasefire negotiations immediately. This seems like propaganda with Trump wanting to claim his influence is essential to the peace talks, but we have seen that they are not. As I write this 48 hours later, there have been no talks, only Putin stating there is no deadline for a ceasefire or talks.
Finnish intelligence states that they believe the Russians will increase their military presence along the border within the next 5 years, and the troops would triple in size. Satellite images show that the Russians are building bases near the border.
Finland is one of the countries that will use frozen Russian assets (as per the European Commission agreement) to purchase ammunition for Ukraine. The ammunition will be purchased from Finnish manufacturers and sent directly to Ukraine.
EU members have preliminary agreed to launch €150 billion defence fund where member states may borrow money from the EU to purchase weapons and military equipment.
In Hungary, thousands are protesting against the Russian style propaganda and a bill that is targeting media and freedom of speech.
Day 1181 (20 May)
The US refuses to adopt sanctions against Russia, claiming this would hinder business opportunities with the country.
The FSB uncovered more Russian spies, this time in Odesa where an agent got a job at a defence plant and who stole secret documents outlining the technology used for the latest military equipment.
Putin refused to agree to a ceasefire but said he was ready to negotiate a memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty. What this can mean is that Putin will discuss a peace treaty that he won’t adhere to like the Budapest Memorandum and the Minsk agreements.
In the EU, a 17th package of sanctions has been agreed and adopted and an 18th package is already being discussed.
Day 1182 (21 May)
Putin allegedly visits Kursk, while claiming Russia has reclaimed the region.
The US opposes a G7 statement of support for Ukraine, as they do not agree with the use of the wording ‘illegal invasion’ even though it is quite clear that any invasion of a sovereign territory is illegal
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