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 just days after a U.S.-backed but largely inconclusive negotiation between Kyiv and Moscow, where Russia sent a delegation of low-level officials and reiterated sweeping territorial demands.

Following the call, Trump told reporters that he trusts Putin, will not sanction Russia, but will abandon Ukraine peace efforts if progress is not made.

In a follow-up call between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky, the latter had to remind his U.S. counterpart that negotiations with Russia are already underway and that Moscow has been stalling all efforts to impose a ceasefire.

“It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war and occupation," Zelensky later wrote on X.

Yet the tone coming from the White House after the call suggested that at least to one man, it wasn’t that obvious at all.

“Nothing good is expected,” Yelyzaveta Yasko, a lawmaker from the governing Servant of the People party, told the Kyiv Independent when asked for her initial reaction to the phone conversations.

The results of the Trump, Putin call

Despite the U.S. president claiming “it went very well,” that “some progress was made,” and that the “tone and spirit of the conversation was excellent,” Ukraine and its European allies were stunned by the outcome of Trump’s call with Putin.

Trump also claimed that Putin had agreed to “immediately start negotiations towards a ceasefire,” seemingly forgetting that he himself has been demanding one since March 11, and that direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are already underway.

According to Axios, when Trump told Zelesnky and other European leaders about the results of the call, he was met with a stunned silence.

Once this had passed, Zelensky had to gently remind Trump that it had been his idea all along to start the peace talks with an immediate 30-day ceasefire.

In addition, Russia once again refused to agree to the ceasefire, instead saying it was prepared to negotiate a "memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty."

Neither Trump nor Putin discussed a deadline for a ceasefire, and the U.S. president once again threatened to walk away if Ukraine and Russia could not negotiate a peace between themselves, effectively giving Putin free rein to continue waging war against Ukraine.

In Kyiv, the news was met with a now familiar mix of resignation, disappointment, and increasing unease over Trump's continuing appeasement of Putin's position.

"The main conclusion of the latest phone conversation between Trump and Putin is that Trump doesn't know how to deal with real gangsters," Andrii Osadchuk, a lawmaker from the Holos faction, told the Kyiv Independent.

"Putin has humiliated him in public several times in a row, and the U.S. president doesn't want to recognize that and doesn't know what to do."

Of particular concern is the idea that future negotiations should be conducted solely between Russia and Ukraine, without a mediator, and that Trump appears to perceive his attempts at brokering a peace as bearing fruit, despite Russia not having budged from the demands it set way back in 2022.

"The fact that Americans believe that peace can be achieved through direct conversations is a dangerous sign," Inna Sovsun, a lawmaker from the Holos faction, told the Kyiv Independent.

"The Russians are only willing to negotiate and compromise if there is some pressure on them that they feel."

Any hopes of the U.S. placing its first real pressure on the Kremlin since Trump took office was swiftly quashed by the U.S. president — immediately after the call he told reporters at the White House that he will not impose further sanctions against Russia "because there's a chance" of progress towards a ceasefire.

The view from Ukraine, however, is very different.

"Ukraine, through years of dealing with Russia, has learned one very clear lesson: Putin constantly lies," Halyna Yanchenko, a lawmaker from the Servant of the People party, told the Kyiv Independent.

"Today, he continues to use the same tactic — trying to blind Donald Trump, stall for time, and use any pause to seize even more Ukrainian territory," she added.

Russia's demands

Underpinning the intense feeling of frustration in Ukraine is a fact that appears obvious to almost everyone except Trump — that after 119 days, Putin has not made a single concession that suggests he is truly interested in peace.

"This phone call hasn't changed anything at all," Oleksandr Merezhko, a Ukrainian lawmaker and chair of the parliament's foreign affairs committee, told the Kyiv Independent.

"Putin continues to insist on his ultimatums and maximalist demands, and keeps rejecting ceasefire proposals."

At the May 15 Istanbul talks, Russia sent a delegation of low-level officials and reiterated maximalist demands, including that Ukraine accept the loss of occupied Crimea and four oblasts in their entirety despite Russia not fully controlling any of them.

Attacks against civilians have only escalated since Trump took office, and on May 18, Russia carried out its largest drone attack since the start of its full-scale invasion.

'One big deal'

Trump, the author of "The Art of the Deal," once again trumpeted his alleged negotiating skills when telling reporters on May 19 about his call with Putin.

"My whole life is like deals — one big deal," he said.

In the context of his failed peace process in Ukraine so far, the claim rang hollow.

"The stance of the EU and the U.S. was to step up pressure on Russia if it rejects a ceasefire," Olena Halushka, a board member at the Anti-Corruption Action Centre (AntAC), told the Kyiv Independent.

"It rejected it, so now it's time to act — step up sanctions and military aid, and confiscate frozen Russian assets. Russia doesn't want peace, it wants Ukraine," she added.

On May 20, the EU kept up its side of the bargain, formally approving its 17th package of sanctions imposed on Russia over aggression in Ukraine, including measures against almost 200 shadow fleet vessels.

To date, Trump has not taken a single concrete action to place any pressure on the Kremlin.

The cost of failed negotiations

While phone calls, negotiations, and Truth Social posts play out on the global stage, those with perhaps the most at stake — Ukrainians living under Russian occupation — watch on.

"I am worried that as a result of the negotiations, Crimea may be left under Russian control," a woman currently living in occupied Crimea, whose name is being withheld for security reasons, told the Kyiv Independent on May 19.

She is an activist with the Yellow Ribbon resistance movement, fighting back against Russian occupation because she wants the "world to see that Ukrainians here have not surrendered."

"I will continue to resist even if Crimea remains under Russian rule, because Crimea was and is Ukraine, regardless of political decisions," she added.

As Russia’s fiber optic drones flood the battlefield, Ukraine is racing to catch up

Editor’s Note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. Every year, as the way war is fought constantly evolves on the battlefields of Ukraine, the visuals of the fighting on the ground that

The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

The United States is working with NATO partners to locate additional Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on May 20 during Senate testimony on the State Department’s budget.

Ukraine has consistently warned that its current air defense capacity is insufficient to counter the scale of Russia’s intensified missile and drone attacks.

“The U.S. is looking for Patriot batteries to be able to transfer from other NATO nations into Ukrainian hands,” Rubio told lawmakers, adding that no country is willing to give up these systems, and the U.S. cannot produce them quickly enough.

Kyiv has requested more Patriots to shield cities and critical infrastructure.

In an April 13 interview with CBS News, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to buy 10 U.S.-made Patriot systems for $15 billion.

“We will find the money and pay for everything,” he said.

Despite Kyiv’s appeals, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the request, accusing Zelensky of “always looking to purchase missiles” and falsely blaming Ukraine for provoking the war.

The Patriot is a high-precision, U.S.-made surface-to-air missile platform capable of intercepting aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats. Zelensky has repeatedly said Ukraine needs at least seven more systems to defend its most at-risk regions.

The New York Times reported on May 4, citing unnamed U.S. officials, that a Patriot system currently based in Israel will be transferred to Ukraine following refurbishment. Western allies are also reportedly reviewing whether to reallocate systems from Germany or Greece.

Kyiv currently operates eight Patriot systems, though only six are functional, with two undergoing repairs, according to the publication.

Ukraine accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire back in March.

Moscow has continued its large-scale drone and missile strikes, including the largest drone assault of the war on May 18, when 273 drones entered Ukrainian airspace.

‘No one saw surrender as an option’ – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity

Warning: This article contains descriptions of graphic scenes. A bullet fired by a Russian sniper hit Azov Brigade member Artem Dubyna in the head and passed through his neck. “He’s dead,” crackled the message over the radio to his comrades. But Dubyna’s heart was still beating. Evacuating his unconscious body

The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of using "negotiations" to bide time to prolong the war and occupation. Zelensky noted that leaders discussed yesterday's conversation between him and U.S. President Donald Trump.

He stressed the importance of coordinating diplomatic efforts to achieve real results, saying, "We're working with our partners to ensure pressure forces Russia into changing its behavior. Sanctions matter, and I'm grateful to everyone making them more impactful for those responsible for the war." Zelensky reiterated his belief that the war should end at the negotiating table, albeit with clear and realistic proposals. "Ukraine is ready for any productive format of negotiations. Should Russia continue to impose unrealistic conditions and sabotage possible outcomes, there must be strict consequences," he emphasized. Zelensky also mentioned scheduled talks with other partners.

Following a lengthy two-hour phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump expressed his belief that Putin wants peace in Ukraine. Meanwhile, according to Financial Times, some European leaders briefed by Trump after his conversation with the Russian leader were reportedly astonished by the U.S. president's stance. A source noted it became apparent that Trump "has no intention of applying substantial pressure on Putin" to compel him to engage earnestly in negotiations.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a free trade agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. to President Donald Trump, Deputy Economy Minister and Trade Representative Taras Kachka said on May 20.

According to Kachka, Zelensky offered an agreement in a letter to Trump, alongside mentioning other opportunities for cooperation in trade and the defence industry.

“This, accordingly, will be the next stage of our conversations,” Kachka said during a conference in Ukraine’s capital.

Kyiv is interested in such an agreement, despite the fact that the U.S. is not Ukraine’s largest trading partner, he added.

“We are interested in free trade agreements with all G7 countries. That is, we have (agreements) with Britain, Canada, and the European Union. We also need the United States and Japan,” he said.

Ukraine and the U.S. launched initial talks on a free trade zone back in 2021.

Earlier, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Kyiv seeks to boost bilateral trade and an agreement with the U.S. to allow “everything except for the fixed exceptions."

Ukrainian trade with the U.S. has dropped in recent years, with only $874 million of exports and $3.4 billion of American imports last year. But the knock-on effect could be a global trade war that hits Ukraine too, Oleksandra Myronenko from the Center for Economic Strategy (CES) in Kyiv, told the Kyiv Independent last month.

In early April, Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all Ukrainian goods, except metal products, which had already been subject to a 25% tariff in March.

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.

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

Washington plans to spend about $250 million of foreign aid funds to repatriate people from active conflict zones, including about 200,000 Ukrainians and 500,000 Haitians, the Washington Post reported on May 20, citing the draft internal documents the newspaper obtained.

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.

With the Trump administration coming to office, the U.S. has tightened its immigration policy. U.S. President Donald Trump previously pledged to impose harsher legislation on migrants and launch the “largest deportation program in U.S. history,” aimed at removing 15 to 20 million migrants from the country.

According to the draft internal documents, the proposal was prepared after the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement on May 5. The statement read that those immigrants who voluntarily leave the U.S. for their home countries would be eligible for $1,000 in assistance.

Besides Ukrainians and Haitians, the draft documents also mention Afghans, Palestinians, Libyans, Sudanese, Syrians, and Yemenis, who could become other targets of the deportation program, the WP reported.

Tricia McLaughlin, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, verified the documents' authenticity, but described them as “outdated.” McLaughlin added that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has not made a “final” decision on temporary protected status for Haiti or Ukraine.

According to the draft documents reviewed by the newspaper, the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) will fund the voluntary resettlement program using funds allocated by Congress for charter flights or commercial airfare.

The State Department has acknowledged that it is working with the Department of Homeland Security to provide “travel support and financial incentives” to encourage migrants to leave the country voluntarily.

The Trump administration’s proposal has been criticized, including by former government officials who called it inhumane and counter to long-held U.S. ideals, the WP reported.

According to the plan’s opponents, the Trump administration is forcing asylum seekers to return to countries where they are “at risk of being killed.” They also questioned whether the plan constitutes an abuse of foreign aid funds intended primarily to support refugees and their resettlement.

In late January, Washington suspended acceptance of applications from Ukrainians for asylum under the Uniting for Ukraine program. This program allowed for two years of asylum in the U.S., as well as the right to work, study, and have health insurance, among other benefits.

There are about 200,000 Ukrainian refugees in the U.S., according to the United Nations.

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.

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

President Volodymyr Zelensky had to remind U.S. President Donald Trump that negotiations with Russia are already underway after Trump announced to EU leaders the Kremlin’s readiness for talks, Axios reported on May 20, citing sources present at the call.

The exchange reportedly took place during a phone call involving Trump, Zelensky, and the leaders of Germany, France, Italy, Finland, and the European Commission. It followed Trump’s earlier call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which the Russian leader provided vague assurances about peace efforts but again rejected a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Trump told the leaders that Putin agreed to start direct negotiations on a ceasefire immediately, which led to a few seconds of “puzzled silence” during the call, Axios' source said.

Zelensky then reminded Trump that Putin had previously agreed to this, and the first round of direct talks had already taken place on May 16 in Istanbul, marking the first direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow since 2022. Trump did not directly respond, the sources said.

The Ukrainian president and other leaders also pointed out to Trump that it had been his idea to start the peace talks with an immediate 30-day ceasefire, according to Axios.

Kyiv agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire on March 11, though Moscow has rejected it. Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose additional sanctions against Russia unless it accepts the deal, but has not taken the step.

Participants on the call reportedly seemed “surprised” that Trump was “relatively content” with what he heard from Putin. Even though the Kremlin’s position has not changed, Trump presented this as a new development in the negotiation process.

When asked about potential sanctions against Russia, the U.S. president said he did not think it was a good idea, adding that he believes Putin wants a deal. Trump told the group that Putin would present a “peace memo” with his terms for a ceasefire and an end to the war.

Axios' source also said that Trump told Zelensky and the European leaders that he asked Putin to present “something that people can agree to,” not a proposal that would be immediately rejected.

Responding to Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s question on his next steps, the U.S. president said that somebody “has to come out and say whether the negotiations are going well or badly,” and then the U.S. will decide what to do, Axios reported.

European leaders have urged the U.S. to impose additional sanctions on Russia to pressure it toward a ceasefire. Speaking to reporters after his call with Putin, Trump said he has no intention of taking the step so as not to disrupt peace efforts.

The U.S. president also declared he trusts Putin and reiterated his readiness to withdraw from the peace process unless progress is made.

Trump has vowed to broker a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow within 100 days after taking office. As this self-imposed deadline has passed, the White House has grown increasingly frustrated with the delays, threatening to abandon the effort entirely.

Polish FM: Europe’s existential choice

For years, I have taken every opportunity to urge the European Union and its member states to invest more in defense. When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I repeatedly asked (as a member of the European Parliament) what further proof we would need to

The Kyiv IndependentRadosław Sikorski

POZNAN — For years, I have taken every opportunity to urge the European Union and its member states to invest more in defense.

When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I repeatedly asked (as a member of the European Parliament) what further proof we would need to recognize the threats facing all of Europe. What would we – as Europeans – do if our security was threatened while our closest ally, the United States, was otherwise engaged?

Today, we confront that very situation. U.S. officials are openly stating that they do not intend to devote most of their time or resources to dealing with what they deem European issues. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the U.S. has “other priorities to focus on.”

I agree. The global superpower has global responsibilities, and the number of flash points that might demand the U.S. government’s attention seems only to be growing. In addition to challenges in the Western hemisphere, instability in the Middle East, and severe tensions between two nuclear powers — India and Pakistan — there is also the paramount goal of redefining relations with China.

Moreover, according to the official U.S. Defense Department planning doctrine, the U.S. can no longer fight more than one major war at a time.

The new U.S. administration has been communicating its position plainly.

“We’re here today to directly and unambiguously express that stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in Brussels this February.

EU approves 17th package of Russia sanctions, targets shadow fleet

“New measures also address hybrid threats and human rights. More sanctions on Russia are in the works,” Kaja Kallas said on X.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

And U.S. Vice President JD Vance was even more direct, stating that “Europe’s entire security infrastructure … has been subsidized by the United States of America,” even though it is neither in Europe’s nor America’s interest “for Europe to be a permanent security vassal of the United States.”

President Donald Trump himself has repeatedly accused Europe of “freeloading” and “taking advantage” of the U.S.

Europeans may not like what we hear, but we cannot pretend not to hear it. We must be prepared for the U.S. to wash its hands not only of Ukraine, but even of Europe.

Le Monde’s Sylvie Kauffmann recently argued, “Preparing for the worst is a safer bet than hoping for the best.” We can and should do both — hope and prepare. Trust but verify.

Ever since Trump announced his presidential candidacy back in 2015, there have been two schools of thought on interpreting his words. Some argue that we should take him seriously but not literally, whereas others urge us to do the opposite: treat him literally but not always seriously. I believe that the most reasonable and respectable approach is to treat whatever the U.S. president says both literally and seriously.

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.

The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn

Given the current state of the world, this implies that Europe faces an existential choice. We can enter the global game united, as a heavyweight competitor, or we can condemn ourselves to marginalization.

Much has been done already to become a heavyweight contender. Since 2016 — just before Trump’s first term — NATO members, excluding the U.S., have increased their annual defense spending by 98%, from $255 billion to $506 billion.

Moreover, after three years of Putin waging all-out war on Ukraine, the EU and its member states have proven willing to spend even more and to embrace a more cooperative, rational, and effective approach to defense planning and procurement. The new joint defense agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom is another step demonstrating this new strategic solidarity.

Deterring Russia is not beyond our means. We don’t need to match U.S. military capabilities; rather, we just need enough to force Putin to reconsider his chances of winning in a confrontation with a united European community of democratic nation-states.

The people of Europe are clearly demanding that we develop a revitalized European defense posture. According to the European Commission, 71% of EU citizens believe that the bloc must strengthen its ability to produce military equipment, while 77% support a common defense and security policy. This gives European leaders a mandate to think and act boldly.

But how long will it take to restore peace to Ukraine and stability to Europe? I believe we must act on the basis of three assumptions. First, we should view this as a war of a former imperial metropole against what it regards as a mutinous colony. History suggests that colonial wars usually take about a decade to end. Anything less than that should be considered a bonus.

Second, we should accept that for the invading country to start negotiating in good faith, it must conclude that the invasion was a mistake. It must acknowledge that the costs of war, and of keeping the former colony subjugated, are greater than whatever benefits the colony can possibly yield. Third, given the above, we should remember that colonial wars are usually finished by a different group of leaders than those who started the fighting.

Yes, boosting European defense capabilities while supporting Ukraine will cost money. Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression, the EU and its member states have provided more than $165 billion in support for Ukraine and its people. That is a significant amount, but it is still less than 1% of the combined GDP of the EU’s member countries (some $19 trillion). We can certainly do more.

And as we reinvigorate Europe’s defenses, we must not lose sight of why we are doing it: we are acting for our own safety, not to undermine transatlantic relations but to improve them. To avoid a strategic dilemma, we Europeans must be able to help the U.S. defend its allies by taking on our fair share of the security burden.

As Russia’s fiber optic drones flood the battlefield, Ukraine is racing to catch up

Editor’s Note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. Every year, as the way war is fought constantly evolves on the battlefields of Ukraine, the visuals of the fighting on the ground that

The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

Editor’s Note: Copyright, Project Syndicate / ImpactCEE. This article has been republished by the Kyiv Independent with permission. The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 20, reacting to a recent call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky’s statement follows his call with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, during which the Ukrainian leader told his counterpart about his May 19 phone call with Trump, as well as the latter’s talks with Putin.

“It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war and occupation,” Zelensky said on X. “We are working with our partners to pressure the Russians to change their behavior."

Zelensky thanked the partners who continue to impose sanctions on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine and stressed that the war should end at the negotiating table.

“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,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky’s remarks coincide with new sanctions unveiled by the EU and the U.K. on May 20, targeting shadow fleet vessels, entities helping Russia avoid sanctions, actors involved in Russia’s military sector, information and hybrid operations, and more.

In turn, U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not intend to impose additional sanctions against Russia so as not to disrupt peace efforts, dashing the hopes of European leaders for a coordinated approach.

As Russia’s fiber optic drones flood the battlefield, Ukraine is racing to catch up

Editor’s Note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. Every year, as the way war is fought constantly evolves on the battlefields of Ukraine, the visuals of the fighting on the ground that

The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

The British government announced 100 new sanctions against Russia on May 20, pledging to ramp up pressure as Moscow continues to reject a ceasefire in Ukraine.

The new measures, announced in coordination with the EU’s 17th sanctions package, target “entities supporting Russia’s military machine, energy exports and information war, as well as financial institutions” supporting the Russian war effort.

Even as London and Brussels unveil new economic measures, U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington does not plan to impose additional sanctions to avoid disrupting peace efforts.

The U.K. stressed that the sanctions follow the largest Russian drone strike against Ukraine, involving 273 drones launched against the country overnight on May 18. The restrictions aim to disrupt Russia’s supply of weaponry, namely Iskander missiles, which are often used in strikes against civilians.

The sanctions further target 14 more members of the Kremlin-funded Social Design Agency (SDA), a sanctioned Russian company accused of information operations aimed at undermining democracy and the rule of law in Ukraine and abroad.

The package also includes 18 shadow fleet vessels, 46 financial institutions helping Russia evade sanctions, and measures to prevent Russia from reconnecting to the global economy. The U.K. further said it is reviewing the possibility of further lowering the $60-per-barrel price cap imposed on Russian crude oil.

"(Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s latest strikes once again show his true colours as a warmonger," U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement.

“We have been clear that delaying peace efforts will only redouble our resolve to help Ukraine to defend itself and use our sanctions to restrict Putin’s war machine."

European leaders have threatened Russia with additional sanctions unless Putin commits to a ceasefire and agrees to seriously engage in peace efforts. President Volodymyr Zelensky also announced that a new “strong EU sanctions package” is underway.

While European leaders have proclaimed that the new sanctions are coordinated with Washington, Trump denied plans for new U.S. restrictions on the Russian economy after a phone call with Putin on May 19.

EU approves 17th package of Russia sanctions, targets shadow fleet

“New measures also address hybrid threats and human rights. More sanctions on Russia are in the works,” Kaja Kallas said on X.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

The status quo in Russia-Ukraine peace efforts has not changed after a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said on May 20 on X.

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."

“Unfortunately, following the Trump-Putin phone call, the status quo has not changed,” Podolyak wrote on X, adding that Ukraine continues to offer an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, while Europe fully supports this step.

Podolyak noted that the United States remains a global mediator, believing that Russia will negotiate for business and strategic interests. At the same time, Russia’s position remains unchanged in its willingness to continue the war, he added.

“There is Russia’s unchanged position: it still seeks war, destruction, and killing, believing them to be the only means of preserving its current state. There is a Russia that is unwilling — and categorically refuses — to accept a ceasefire,” Podolyak said.

“And there is also this obsessive search for the so-called ‘root causes of the war,’ even though the only real cause is the simple fact of Russia’s unprovoked aggression."

After speaking with Trump, Putin said Russia’s position in the negotiations remains unchanged and requires “eliminating the root causes” of the war.

The call also follows largely inconclusive Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul on May 16, 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.

After the May 19 conversation, Trump said on Truth Social that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start” negotiations toward a ceasefire and an end to the war. He also refused to commit to additional sanctions against Russia and signaled that Washington might walk away from the peace talks unless progress is made.

‘It’s our land’ — Zelensky responds to Putin’s call with Trump

A source in the President’s Office told the Kyiv Independent that Trump and Zelensky spoke twice on May 19 — once before the scheduled call with Putin and again after it.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

Editor’s note: The story is being updated.

The EU has formally approved its 17th package of sanctions imposed on Russia over aggression in Ukraine, including measures against almost 200 shadow fleet vessels, top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas announced on May 20.

“New measures also address hybrid threats and human rights. More sanctions on Russia are in the works,” Kallas said on X.

The step comes as the U.S. signals disinterest in imposing additional sanctions against Russia even as Moscow refuses Western-backed ceasefire proposals.

The package was supported by EU ambassadors last week, but has since then been criticized as weak and watered down.

The new sanctions target members of Russia’s military and political elite and foreign entities in China and the United Arab Emirates, accused of helping the Kremlin evade already-imposed measures.

The EU will also sanction more than 20 entities and individuals disseminating disinformation, and 20 judges and prosecutors involved in legal cases against Russian opposition, specifically Vladimir Kara-Murza and late Alexei Navalny.

The package also targets components vital to Russia’s defense industry, namely chemicals, materials, and dual-use goods.

The EU has threatened Russia with additional sanctions unless President Vladimir Putin commits to a ceasefire and agrees to seriously engage in peace efforts. President Volodymyr Zelensky also announced that a new “strong EU sanctions package” is underway.

While European leaders have proclaimed that additional sanctions are coordinated with Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump, who held a phone call with Putin on May 19, said he does not intend to impose new measures on Moscow to avoid disrupting peace efforts.

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.

The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn

The European Union will adopt the 17th package of sanctions against Russia on May 20, while the next package of restrictions is “already in motion,” Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said on May 19 on X.

EU ambassadors on May 14 agreed on the bloc’s 17th package of sanctions against Russia, primarily targeting its shadow fleet of oil tankers. Following the news, President Volodymyr Zelensky also announced that an important “strong EU sanctions package” is underway.

“Putin hasn’t changed his goals — he still wants to destroy Ukraine and rewrite Europe’s borders. He has rejected ceasefire proposals and continues heavy attacks on Ukraine,” Tsahkna wrote on X.

“He’ll only stop when the cost becomes unbearable. Tomorrow (on May 20), the EU will adopt its 17th sanctions package, targeting Russia’s shadow fleet and energy revenues. The 18th is already in motion,” Tsahkna added.

Ukraine’s European allies are tightening sanctions against Russia as Moscow refuses to cease fire. Despite Russia’s refusal, no new U.S. sanctions have been imposed so far.

During a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 19, the parties again failed to reach an agreement on establishing a truce in Ukraine.

The call followed inconclusive negotiations in Istanbul on May 16, where Moscow sent a delegation of low-level officials and reiterated sweeping territorial demands, including Kyiv’s acceptance of the loss of Crimea and four eastern regions.

After the talks between Trump and Putin, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine will not withdraw troops from the territories it controls, rejecting Russian demands put forward by the country’s delegation in Istanbul.

‘It’s our land’ — Zelensky responds to Putin’s call with Trump

A source in the President’s Office told the Kyiv Independent that Trump and Zelensky spoke twice on May 19 — once before the scheduled call with Putin and again after it.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

Russian attacks across Ukrainian regions killed at least one civilian and injured at least 13 over the past day, regional authorities reported on May 20.

Moscow’s forces launch air strikes, drone attacks, and artillery strikes against Ukrainian towns and villages on a daily basis, regularly inflicting civilian casualties.

Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 93 of the 108 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force said. Thirty-five of them were shot down, while 58 were neutralized by electronic warfare systems, according to the statement.

In Donetsk Oblast, Russian forces killed one person in Siversk, and injured three in Kramatorsk, two in Lyman, and one in Kostiantynivka, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

In Kharkiv Oblast, two women aged 45 and 73 were injured during a Russian attack against the village of Starovirivka, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.

Five civilians were injured during Russian strikes in Kherson Oblast, said the regional governor, Oleksandr Prokudin. A high-rise building, seven houses, a cell tower, garages, cars, and machinery were damaged.

Russian drones attacked border areas of Sumy Oblast overnight, damaging a civilian facility in the Bilopillia community and starting a fire, the regional military administration said. No casualties were reported.

Ukraine war latest: Putin refuses ceasefire after Trump call; Zelensky rejects Russia’s demand to withdraw troops from 4 regions

Key developments on May 19: * After call with Trump, Putin still refuses full ceasefire, again cites Russia’s ‘root causes’ of war in Ukraine * Zelensky dismisses Putin’s demand to withdraw troops from 4 Ukrainian regions * Commander of Ukraine’s 59th Brigade replaced, media reports * Ukrainian drones destroy Russian radar, supply depots on

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

Russia has lost 975,800 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on May 20.

The number includes 1,030 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 10,834 tanks, 22,567 armored fighting vehicles, 49,093 vehicles and fuel tanks, 28,067 artillery systems, 1,388 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,167 air defense systems, 372 airplanes, 336 helicopters, 36,621 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

Ukraine war latest: Putin refuses ceasefire after Trump call; Zelensky rejects Russia’s demand to withdraw troops from 4 regions

Key developments on May 19: * After call with Trump, Putin still refuses full ceasefire, again cites Russia’s ‘root causes’ of war in Ukraine * Zelensky dismisses Putin’s demand to withdraw troops from 4 Ukrainian regions * Commander of Ukraine’s 59th Brigade replaced, media reports * Ukrainian drones destroy Russian radar, supply depots on

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

Nearly 56,000 residents have been evacuated from Sumy Oblast as efforts are ongoing to relocate more residents under mandatory evacuation orders, Oleh Hryhorov, the governor of Sumy Oblast said on May 19.

Sumy Oblast, located on Ukraine’s northeast border with Russia, is subject to daily attacks, and is situated just across from Russia’s Kursk Oblast - the region subject to Ukraine’s ongoing incursion.

In recent months, Russian troops have significantly increased the use of guided aerial bombs as well as attack drones near the border areas of Sumy Oblast. Most recently, Russia has been deploying small assault groups to infiltrate the region in a bid to expand the front line.

Currently, over 86,000 residents are subject to mandatory evacuation orders in the region, with approximately 65% of the population having already evacuated, Hryhorov told Suspilne Sumy. A total of 2,400 residents were evacuated in the last week, the governor added.

The evacuations continue after local authorities in September 2024 ordered mandatory evacuation of children accompanied by their parents from an expanded area within the 10-kilometer zone bordering Russia.

All residents within the 10-kilometer zone bordering Russia have already been evacuated entirely, the military administration noted.

The additional evacuations come following a Russian attack on a civilian bus in Bilopillia, Sumy Oblast in the early morning of May 17, which killed nine people and injuring seven more.

Hryhorov said that a total of 13 residents were killed last week in Russian attacks on the region.

While Ukraine presses for an unconditional ceasefire, in line with proposals from the U.S., Russia continues to reject the terms.

On May 19, U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin in which Putin expressed readiness to prepare to negotiate a “memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty,” while again rejecting a 30-day ceasefire.

‘It’s our land’ — Zelensky responds to Putin’s call with Trump

A source in the President’s Office told the Kyiv Independent that Trump and Zelensky spoke twice on May 19 — once before the scheduled call with Putin and again after it.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

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.

Two-thirds of poll respondents said that they believe Putin is “playing games and stalling” in peace deal negotiations involving the United States, with only 34% of respondents believing Putin “genuinely wants to end the war.” In contrast, 62% of respondents believed President Volodymyr Zelensky wanted to end the war.

A further 62% of respondents also indicated that that the “Trump administration (should) continue to provide weaponry to Ukraine and impose further economic sanctions on Russia if it refuses to negotiate” a peace deal, with 38% of respondents against additional weaponry and sanctions.

The survey, which was fielded May 14-15, pre-dates U.S. President Donald Trump’s phone call with Putin on May 19.

Following Trump’s two-hour phone call with the Russian president, Putin once again did not agree to a ceasefire, instead offering to negotiate a “memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty” with Ukraine.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office following the phone call that he will not impose further sanctions against Russia “because there’s a chance” of progress towards a ceasefire

“Because I think there’s a chance of getting something done, and if you do that, you could also make it much worse,” Trump said.

In separate comments to reporters following the phone call, Trump responded that he trusts Putin and believes he wants peace.

Despite Trump’s efforts to broker a peace deal, 59% of respondents indicated that they believe Trump is “not tough enough” when dealing with Putin, while 31% believed Trump’s demeanor with Putin to be “about right.” A further 10% of respondents said Trump was “too tough” with Putin.

Respondents were also relatively split as to whether they believe Trump will successfully negotiate the end of the war, with 58% of respondents saying that Trump will “not solve” the war, while 42% of respondents believe Trump will help end the war.

Initially elected on the campaign promise to end the war within “24 hours,” Trump has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated at the pace of negotiations. On May 19, Trump reiterated he would abandon efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine 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,” Trump said.

The poll was conducted conducted online within the United States, surveying 1,903 registered voters. The poll is deemed accurate +/- 2.2 percentage point, 19 times out of 20.

Ukraine war latest: Putin refuses ceasefire after Trump call; Zelensky rejects Russia’s demand to withdraw troops from 4 regions

Key developments on May 19: * After call with Trump, Putin still refuses full ceasefire, again cites Russia’s ‘root causes’ of war in Ukraine * Zelensky dismisses Putin’s demand to withdraw troops from 4 Ukrainian regions * Commander of Ukraine’s 59th Brigade replaced, media reports * Ukrainian drones destroy Russian radar, supply depots on

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

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After two hours on the phone with Russian President Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump declared peace on the horizon — but neither Kyiv nor Moscow seems to see it yet.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is considering a meeting between Russian, Ukrainian, European, and American leaders for war talks following two phone calls with Trump on Monday.

The American leader announced that negotiations for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia “will begin immediately” following a phone call with President Putin.

The question might be raised: What has been happening over the last few months?

Putin refused to agree to a 30-day truce, which was the initial aim of the call with Trump, stating that the “root causes” of the war have yet to be addressed. This is not a change in his position.

On his Truth Social account, Trump said he had a two-hour call with Putin and believes “it went very well.” In addition, he said negotiations on the conditions of a ceasefire will be agreed between Ukraine and Russia “because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.”

Putin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed shortly after that a timeline for a ceasefire had not been discussed during the two-hour phone call, but that Trump had insisted on a deal being made fast. The two officials reportedly talked about a prisoner swap of nine Russians for nine Americans to improve relations between the two nations.

The call with Trump on Monday was “very informative”, Putin said, and Russia is now “ready to work with Ukraine on a memorandum on a possible future peace agreement,” which could include a temporary ceasefire agreement, Russia’s state media agencies reported.Will Trump's calls with Putin and Zelenskyy

“The US president voiced his position on a ceasefire. For my part, I noted that Russia, too, favours a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. We simply must determine the most effective ways of moving towards peace,” Putin said. “Russia and Ukraine need to find compromises that would satisfy all parties.”

Yet, Ukrainian foreign analysts believe it will take a long time and work to end the war.

"That’s not how these things are resolved. Such big problems, such big issues are not solved by one conversation. This needs to be months-long, even if not years-long, work of delegations, reconciliation of positions, and so on... I don't think it can bring us anything, to anyone except the Russians," Oleksandr Kraiev, an expert at the Foreign Policy Council ‘Ukrainian Prism’, told The Counteroffensive.

Read more

Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

U.S. President Donald Trump on May 19 reiterated he would abandon efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine 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,” Trump said.

The U.S. president reiterated earlier remarks that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“I said, ‘When are we going to end this bloodshed, this blood bath?’ It’s a blood bath, and I do believe he wants to end it,” Trump said, referring to his conversation with Putin on May 19.

Trump and Putin held a phone call earlier on May 19 as Ukraine and its allies intensify efforts to end Russia’s war. Putin did not agree to a full ceasefire in his phone call with Trump, despite calls from global leaders to do so.

Ukraine war latest: Putin refuses ceasefire after Trump call; Zelensky rejects Russia’s demand to withdraw troops from 4 regions

Key developments on May 19: * After call with Trump, Putin still refuses full ceasefire, again cites Russia’s ‘root causes’ of war in Ukraine * Zelensky dismisses Putin’s demand to withdraw troops from 4 Ukrainian regions * Commander of Ukraine’s 59th Brigade replaced, media reports * Ukrainian drones destroy Russian radar, supply depots on

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

Editor’s Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

U.S. President Donald Trump will not impose further sanctions against Russia “because there’s a chance” of progress towards a ceasefire, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on May 19.

“Because I think there’s a chance of getting something done, and if you do that, you could also make it much worse,” he said, according to CNN.

“But there could be a time where that’s going to happen,” he added.

Trump’s comments come after he spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day in a two-hour phone call. Putin once again did not agree to a ceasefire, instead offering to negotiate a “memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty” with Ukraine.

Despite numerous threats, Trump has never followed through on imposing additional sanctions against Russia. The Kremlin has continued to refuse demands from the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine to accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.

Ukraine war latest: Putin refuses ceasefire after Trump call; Zelensky rejects Russia’s demand to withdraw troops from 4 regions

Key developments on May 19: * After call with Trump, Putin still refuses full ceasefire, again cites Russia’s ‘root causes’ of war in Ukraine * Zelensky dismisses Putin’s demand to withdraw troops from 4 Ukrainian regions * Commander of Ukraine’s 59th Brigade replaced, media reports * Ukrainian drones destroy Russian radar, supply depots on

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk