Zelenskyy-Putin talks must be 'subsequent step' — Kyiv – DW

[ad_1] Skip next section Russia and Belarus planning joint military drills 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Russia and Belarus planning joint navy drills

Belarusian state information company BeITA reported that preparation for a big new navy manoeuvre with Russia was below manner.

"We plan to collectively develop measures to counter aggression in opposition to the Union State," BelTA quoted Russian Defence Minister Andrey Belousov as saying throughout a gathering with Belarusian counterpart Viktor Khrenin in Minsk.

The company reported the train — dubbed Zapad-2025, or West-2025 in English — can be the end result of fight coaching of regional navy formations and was been deliberate for mid-September.

In February, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cited intelligence sources as saying that Russia was planning to maneuver troops to Belarus.

In February 2022, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine was launched from Belarus after troops massed close to the border space with the actions additionally being known as navy workout routines.

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Skip next section Vatican 'potentially' available as meeting place 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Vatican 'probably' out there as assembly place

The Vatican 's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin says Pope Leo XIV is contemplating the Vatican as a doable place for talks.

That is after direct peace negotiations between Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin , did not materialize.

"The scenario may be very troublesome, dramatic," German press company dpa quoted Parolin — who is taken into account the second most essential determine within the Vatican after the pope as saying.

Parolin stated that Leo plans to "probably make the Vatican, the Holy See, out there for a direct assembly between the 2 sides."

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Skip next section Zelenskyy rues missed opportunity for peace 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Zelenskyy rues missed alternative for peace

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed remorse at what he believed was missed alternative to finish preventing.

"This week, we had an actual probability to maneuver towards ending the conflict – if solely [Russian President Vladimir] Putin hadn't been afraid to come back to Türkiye," Zelenskyy posted on X.

"I used to be there prepared for a direct assembly with him to resolve all key points. He didn’t comply with something," Zelenskyy stated.

The Ukrainian chief stated Russia had despatched a delegation to Istanbul that "was of a really low degree" with no decision-makers.

"If this Russian delegation proves to be theatrical and might’t ship any outcomes as we speak, the world should reply," Zelenskyy stated, including that Ukraine was "able to take all life like steps to finish this conflict."

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Skip next section Zelenskyy-Putin meeting should be 'next step' says Ukraine's lead negotiator 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Zelenskyy-Putin assembly must be 'subsequent step' says Ukraine's lead negotiator Ukraine 's Protection Minister Rustem Umerov stated he believed the subsequent stage of talks ought to contain the presidents of Ukraine and Russia, following talks with the Kremlin's delegation in Istanbul.

"I believe the subsequent step can be that the leaders-level assembly must be organised," Umerov — who's Kyiv's lead negotiator — informed reporters in Istanbul.

The feedback got here after the primary face-to-face peace talks between the perimeters in additional than three years.

Ukraine's deputy overseas minister, Serhiy Kyslytsia, stated he hoped the nations' two leaders would meet "sooner slightly than later."

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Skip next section Europeans hold Trump phone call after Istanbul talks 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Europeans maintain Trump telephone name after Istanbul talks

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, in addition to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stated they'd spoken with Donald Trump on Friday.

The telephone name with the US President was held after the peace talks in Istanbul between Ukraine and Russia had ended on Friday.

In a publish on X after the decision, Zelenskyy stated his nation is "able to take the quickest doable steps to convey actual peace, and it's important that the world holds a robust stance."

The Ukrainian president repeated his perception that "powerful sanctions should observe" if Russia fails to comply with a "full and unconditional ceasefire and an finish to killings."

"Strain on Russia should be maintained till Russia is able to finish the conflict," he added.

Merz, in the meantime, emphasised that the Europeans should proceed to work along with the US authorities below Trump "to do the whole lot we will to maintain the Individuals on our facet."

"We can not exchange or supersede what the Individuals are nonetheless doing for us in Europe, on our continent and for our peace and freedom," the German chief stated.

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Skip next section Russia, Ukraine agree to swap 1,000 POWs 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Russia, Ukraine comply with swap 1,000 POWs

Russia and Ukraine, whose representatives met for peace talks in Istanbul on Friday, have agreed to change 1,000 prisoners of conflict (POWs).

Negotiators from each nations each confirmed the settlement after the conferences in Istanbul had ended.

The top of Russia's delegation Vladimir Medinsky confirmed that "within the coming days, there shall be a large-scale change of prisoners, 1,000 for 1,000."

Medinsky additionally stated Moscow had "taken notice" of a request by Ukraine for the leaders of their two nations, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin, to carry direct talks.

In a separate assertion, Ukraine's prime negotiator in Istanbul, Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, confirmed the POW swap.

Umerov added {that a} ceasefire and a possible face-to-face assembly between Zelenskyy and Putin had additionally been mentioned.

Turkey's International Minister Hakan Fidan additionally confirmed the swap, saying it had been agreed as a "confidence-building measure."

Earlier prisoner exchanges, including the latest one in April that saw more than 500 POWs swapped , have did not yield a breakthrough in peace negotiations.

Russia and Ukraine change lots of of prisoners of conflict To view this video please allow JavaScript, and take into account upgrading to an online browser that supports HTML5 video

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Skip next section Europeans, Zelenskyy agree on 'unacceptable' Russia stance 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Europeans, Zelenskyy agree on 'unacceptable' Russia stance

European leaders have proven a united entrance of their help for Ukraine Picture: Kay Nietfeld/dpa/image alliance The leaders of the United Kingdom , France, Germany and Poland agree that Russia's stance in peace talks with Ukraine is "unacceptable," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated.

Chatting with reporters alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on the European Political Neighborhood summit in Tirana, Albania, Starmer stated they have been engaged on "aligning" their response to the talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul.

Though Moscow has stated it's "happy" with the talks, a Ukrainian supply has condemned Russia's calls for as "non-starters."

"The previous couple of hours have proven that Russia just isn't all in favour of a ceasefire," French President Emmanuel Macron stated.

Macron emphasised {that a} ceasefire "is not going to come about spontaneously if there is no such thing as a elevated stress from Europeans and Individuals".

Starmer warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin would "pay the value if Russia doesn't come to the negotiating desk."

European leaders have stated they're contemplating imposing heavy sanctions on Russia except there may be tangible progress in peace negotiations.

Von der Leyen: Putin doesn't need peace To view this video please allow JavaScript, and take into account upgrading to an online browser that supports HTML5 video

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Skip next section Merz: Ukraine-Russia talks 'first positive signal' 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Merz: Ukraine-Russia talks 'first optimistic sign'

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has welcomed the Istanbul assembly between representatives from Ukraine and Russia as "a really small however first optimistic sign."

Merz made the remarks at a summit of the European Political Neighborhood (EPC) in Tirana.

Whereas he struck a cautiously optimistic notice, Ukrainian representatives have accused Russia of creating "unacceptable calls for" and of intentionally hindering progress in peace talks.

Though the German chancellor praised the "very, very small diplomatic successes," he stated Germany "should additionally make our navy help for Ukraine very clear."

"There must be little question that we're able to proceed our help," Merz stated.

Since taking workplace this month, Merz has pledged to spice up German protection spending and has vowed to make Germany's army the strongest in Europe .

Chancellor Merz vows to construct strongest military in Europe To view this video please allow JavaScript, and take into account upgrading to an online browser that supports HTML5 video

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Skip next section Russia-Ukraine talks end after less than two hours 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Russia-Ukraine talks finish after lower than two hours

A supply on the Turkish overseas ministry confirmed to the AFP information company that talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul, which started at 10:40 GMT, had ended after 90 minutes.

The assembly was the primary time representatives from Russia and Ukraine have met face-to-face since 2022, simply after Russia's full-scale invasion started.

Forward of the assembly, expectations of a breakthrough in peace negotiations have been low, and any remaining hopes have been largely dashed after US President Donald Trump said Thursday that there would be no progress on the issue till he and Russian President Valdimir Putin meet.

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Skip next section Ukraine says Russia's 'unacceptable demands' blocking peace 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Ukraine says Russia's 'unacceptable calls for' blocking peace

A Ukrainian diplomatic supply attending the talks in Istanbul has stated that Russian negotiators had demanded that Ukraine give up territory that is still controlled by Kyiv .

The supply accused Moscow of creating "unacceptable calls for" as a part of a method by the Kremlin to hinder peace efforts.

"Russian representatives are placing ahead unacceptable calls for ... akin to for Ukraine to withdraw forces from massive elements of Ukrainian territory it controls to ensure that a ceasefire to start," the supply stated.

The official, who spoke to reporters on situation of anonymity, stated it appeared as if the Russian delegation "intentionally needs to throw non-starters on the desk in an effort to stroll away from as we speak's assembly with none outcomes."

Russia's calls for have been "indifferent from actuality and go far past something that was beforehand mentioned," the Ukrainian supply added.

Moscow has demanded Kyiv withdraw its forces from the only partially Russian-occupied southern and eastern regions of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and Luhansk. Russia claimed to have annexed the areas of their entirety in September, 2022.

Former German diplomat: Putin has no intention to make peace To view this video please allow JavaScript, and take into account upgrading to an online browser that supports HTML5 video

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Skip next section Zelenskyy urges 'strong reaction' to Russia if talks fail 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Zelenskyy urges 'robust response' to Russia if talks fail

Zelenskyy has dismissed Russia's delegation on the peace talks as merely "ornamental." Picture: Pou/ROPI/image alliance Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged his nation's Western allies to point out a "robust response" in opposition to Moscow if peace talks happening in Istanbul on Friday do not yield any tangible progress.

Decrease degree delegations from Ukraine and Russia have been assembly within the Turkish metropolis, the primary time representatives from the 2 warring nations have held direct talks for the reason that spring of 2022, simply after Russia's full-scale invasion started.

Though Russian President Vladimir Putin final week proposed the talks in Turkey, he has not attended the Istanbul meetings .

"We had an actual probability to take essential steps towards ending this conflict if solely Putin had not been afraid to come back to Turkey," Zelenskyy informed a European Political Neighborhood summit within the Albanian capital, Tirana.

"If it seems that the Russian delegation actually is simply theatrical and might't ship any outcomes as we speak ... there must be a robust response, together with sanctions in opposition to Russia's vitality sector and banks," he stated.

Zelenskyy stated solely a "full, unconditional, and sincere ceasefire" would supply a "stable foundation for diplomacy" to finish the conflict.

The Ukrainian chief harassed that the delegation he has despatched to Istanbul "has a mandate to make choices" as he known as on Putin "to provide his delegation actual authority."

"Strain should proceed to rise till actual progress is made. Ukraine is able to take all life like steps to finish this conflict," Zelenskyy stated.

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Skip next section Welcome back to our coverage 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Welcome again to our protection Russian and Ukrainian delegations are holding direct negotiations in Istanbul, marking the primary talks of the sort since 2022, the year the war started .

NATO Secretary Basic Mark Rutte criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for sending what he described as a "low-level" workforce to Ukraine talks in Turkey and avoiding a direct assembly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy stated he wouldn't participate in talks resulting from Putin's absence, as a substitute sending a delegation headed by Ukrainian Protection Minister Rustem Umerov.

A Ukrainian diplomatic supply informed information companies that Kyiv would make securing a ceasefire its essential focus in talks.

DW will convey you the most recent information, evaluation and perception from our reporters and correspondents relating to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Keep tuned for extra.

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Skip next section EU Commission chief vows to 'increase pressure' on Putin 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 EU Fee chief vows to 'enhance stress' on Putin

The European Union is engaged on a brand new sanctions in opposition to Russia, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Friday.

"We'll enhance the stress," von der Leyen stated earlier than a gathering with European leaders in Albania.

She stated the bundle would come with sanctions in opposition to Russia's monetary sector and Nordstream 1 and a pair of, fuel pipelines that run from Russia to Germany.

Sanctions in opposition to Nordstream can be extra of a symbolic gesture as no fuel at present flows by way of the pipelines.

Sanctions would even be imposed on extra ships which are a part of Russia's shadow fleet, she stated, referring to tankers concerned in smuggling Russian oil in violation of sanctions.

What's Russia's shadow fleet doing within the Baltic Sea? To view this video please allow JavaScript, and take into account upgrading to an online browser that supports HTML5 video

Von der Leyen additionally talked of reducing the oil worth cap paid for Russian oil, a measure geared toward slicing one in every of Russia's most essential sources of earnings.

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Skip next section Russians, Ukrainians sit down in Turkey for first talks since 2022 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Russians, Ukrainians sit down in Turkey for first talks since 2022

Negotiators from Russia and Ukraine have began holding their first direct peace talks in additional than three years of war .

Stay Turkish tv confirmed the delegations from the 2 nations, together with representatives from Turkey, holding discussions on the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.

Turkish International Minister Hakan Fidan was seen on TV making a speech initially of the assembly.

{A photograph} launched by Ukraine's overseas ministry confirmed the Russian and Ukrainian delegations sitting reverse one another at a U-shaped desk, with Turkish representatives on the head of the desk.

The 2 sides did not shake palms upon assembly, the BBC reported citing their digicam operator who was within the room.

Ukraine and Russia final held direct talks, additionally in Istanbul, in March 2022, within the first weeks of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which have been held simply after Ukraine's forces pushed Russian troops away from Kyiv.

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Skip next section Kremlin says Putin-Trump meeting 'essential' but needs preparation 05/16/2025 Might 16, 2025 Kremlin says Putin-Trump assembly 'important' however wants preparation

The Kremlin has stated {that a} assembly between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump was "undoubtedly important."

"Contacts between presidents Putin and Trump are extraordinarily essential within the context of the Ukrainian settlement," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov informed reporters,