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'Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war' — Zelensky says after Putin-Trump call
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 upEditor’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
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UK unveils new Russia sanctions, accuses Moscow of delaying peace efforts
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
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'Status quo hasn't changed' — Ukraine reacts to Putin-Trump call
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 TrumpA 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
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EU approves 17th package of Russia sanctions, targets shadow fleet
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 talksU.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
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EU to adopt 17th sanctions package against Russia on May 20; 18th package underway
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 TrumpA 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
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Russian attacks kill 1, injure 13 in Ukraine over past day
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 regionsKey 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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General Staff: Russia has lost 975,800 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
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 regionsKey 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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Nearly 56,000 residents evacuated from Sumy Oblast, additional efforts ongoing, governor says
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 TrumpA 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
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Majority of Americans believe Putin stalling peace talks, back sanctions if Russia refuses to negotiate, poll shows
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 regionsKey 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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NEWSFLASH: Trump makes no headway in Ukraine war peace after call with Putin
Editor’s Note:
Events related to the war in Ukraine are once again taking a new direction.
Our publication keeps a close eye on every twist and turn.
Support independent journalism. Upgrade now!
U.S. President Donald Trump listens to a reporter's question during a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in the East Room of the White House on February 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images). 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.
After the paywall:
Find out more about what Putin and Trump discussed;
Ukraine and the EU’s reaction;
Details on Putin’s war plans;
The content of recent Putin-Trump conversations.
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Trump threatens to 'back away' from Ukraine-Russia peace talks if progress is not made
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 regionsKey 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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Trump says he will not impose new sanctions on Russia
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 regionsKey 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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Trump trusts Putin, believes he wants peace in Ukraine
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on May 19 that he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding that he believes Putin wants peace in Ukraine.
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.
When asked by journalists if he believes Putin wants peace in Ukraine, Trump replied, “I do."
When asked by reporters if he trusts Putin, Trump again said, “I do."
“I think some progress has been made, it’s a terrible situation going on over there. 5,000 young people every single week are being killed,” Trump said outside the White House.
Trump noted that the U.S. remains in contact with Europe as ceasefire efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine are underway.
“We also spoke to the heads of most of the European nations and were trying to get that whole thing wrapped up,” Trump said.
Instead of a ceasefire, Putin has insisted on negotiating a “memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty,” he said following a two-hour call with Trump on May 19.
Russia’s position in peace talks remains unchanged and requires “eliminating the root causes” of the war, Putin added.
The call between the two leaders comes days after largely inconclusive negotiations in Turkey. At the Istanbul talks, Russia sent a delegation of low-level officials and reiterated maximalist demands, including that Ukraine accept the loss of Crimea and four eastern regions.
Ukraine’s mental health workers tackle war trauma and Soviet stigma in front-line regionsWhen the children arrive at a basement shelter in the Savyntsi Community Center, psychologist Olena Husman, in her blonde bob and tortoise-shell glasses, stoops down to greet a young girl in pigtails with a high five.
The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta
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URGENT! Zelenskyy comments on talks with Trump and Putin #shorts
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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 Black Sea gas platforms, SBU says
Russia continues to refuse to agree to a full ceasefire in Ukraine, with President Vladimir Putin instead prepared to negotiate a “memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty,” he said following a two-hour call with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 19.
Putin said Trump had “expressed his position regarding the cessation of hostilities, a ceasefire,” but the Russian president insisted the “most effective paths towards peace” were still to be determined.
A source in the President’s Office told the Kyiv Independent on May 19 that Ukraine is still pushing for a full, unconditional ceasefire in talks this week with the U.S. president — the key demand pushed by Trump and accepted by Ukraine back in March.
“Agreed with the president of the U.S. that Russia will propose and is ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a possible future peace treaty,” Putin told reporters after the call.
“It might define a number of positions, for example, the principles of settlement, the timing of a possible peace agreement, and so on, including a possible ceasefire for a certain period of time if the relevant agreements are reached."
Russia’s position in the negotiations remains unchanged and requires “eliminating the root causes” of the war, Putin added.
Following the call, the U.S. president said on Truth Social that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start” negotiations toward a ceasefire and an end to the war.
“The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of,” Trump wrote.
Trump also claimed that Russia is interested in engaging in large-scale trade with the United States once the war ends.
"There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is unlimited. Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on trade, in the process of rebuilding its country," he said.
The U.S. president said he had informed President Volodymyr Zelensky about the call with Vladimir Putin, as well as several European leaders.
A source in the President's Office told the Kyiv Independent that Trump and Zelensky spoke twice on the day — once before the scheduled call with Putin and again after it.
The second conversation lasted for over an hour and included Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa.
Putin's foreign policy aide, Yuri Ushakov, told Russian journalists that the presidents spoke for two hours and five minutes, with no mention of a ceasefire deadline.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the phone call between the two presidents as "productive" and highlighted Trump's "neutral" stance on the war.
Speaking to reporters, Peskov said, "Trump's position is neutral and he does deal with settlement issues, while the position of European politicians is openly pro-Ukrainian."
Aestheticized aggression — why Gosha Rubchinskiy’s ‘Victory Day’ photo book is Russian propagandaRussia’s war against Ukraine is waged not only with missiles and tanks, but with distorted myths — powerful narratives that romanticize empire, rewrite history, and embolden Russian soldiers to reduce once prosperous cities to rubble. Those very same myths surfaced at the Photo London Festival from May 15 to 18, where
The Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan
Zelensky dismisses Putin's demand to withdraw troops from 4 Ukrainian regionsUkraine will not withdraw troops from the territories it controls, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 19, rejecting Russian demands put forward by the country's delegation in Istanbul.
"It's our land, we won't withdraw our troops from our territory," Zelensky said, responding to a question by the Kyiv Independent. "This is a constitutional duty of mine, of our military ... No ultimatums, no one will surrender their lands, their people, their homes."
Zelensky's statement follows 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.
A source in the Ukrainian President's Office briefed on the talks told the Kyiv Independent on May 16 that Moscow's delegation insisted that Ukraine retreat from Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts, despite Russia not controlling any of them in their entirety.
A map showing Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine as of 2025. (The Kyiv Independent) "It means that they (Russia) don't want peace," Zelensky said. "If they demand what they know we won't agree to. Because they clearly understand that Ukraine will not do it," he added.
Russia illegally declared the annexation of the four oblasts following sham referenda in late 2022, incorporating them into its constitution — a move that holds no weight internationally.
Moscow continues to refuse to agree to a full ceasefire. During a call with Trump, Putin said he is prepared to negotiate a "memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty."
Russia's maximalist position in the negotiations remains unchanged and demands "eliminating the root causes" of the war, the Russian president added.
Trump's approach to negotiations frustrates European allies, many of whom sought his support for a joint U.S.–EU ultimatum demanding an unconditional ceasefire starting May 12 and tougher sanctions on Moscow.
Despite Russia's refusal, no new U.S. sanctions have been imposed so far.
Ukraine ‘not yet in worst-case scenario,’ McCain Institute head saysIn October of last year, just days before the U.S. presidential election, Head of the McCain Institute Evelyn Farkas told the Kyiv Independent that a Donald Trump victory would be the “worst-case scenario” for Ukraine. In the months since, a victorious Trump has taken office, dismantled the global post-WorldThe Kyiv IndependentChris York
Commander of Ukraine's 59th Brigade replaced, media reportsLieutenant Colonel Bohdan Shevchuk was dismissed as the commander of the 59th Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces and replaced by Colonel Oleksandr Sak, Ukrainska Pravda reported on May 18, citing its sources in the brigade.
The 59th Brigade, deployed in the Pokrovsk sector in Donetsk Oblast, underwent the emergency leadership change between May 15 and 16 on the order of Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, one military source told the news outlet.
The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.
The brigade's new reported commander, Sak, previously led the 53rd Mechanized Brigade fighting in the Kreminna area.
The reasons behind the move have not been disclosed, though Ukrainska Pravda's sources suggested it could be linked to the worsening situation in the Pokrovsk sector.
The mining town has been the epicenter of some of the heaviest battles in Donetsk Oblast as Russian forces have been trying to capture the strategically important settlement for months.
Syrskyi claimed earlier in May that Ukraine has managed to stabilize the situation in the sector and seize the initiative in some areas.
The 59th Brigade, previously named the 59th Motorized Rifle Brigade, came under Syrskyi's scrutiny in July 2024 after Azovstal defender and medic Kateryna Polishchuk, known under the nickname Ptashka ("bird"), called for an investigation into the unit over Shevchuk's alleged misconduct.
The unit was reorganized into an assault brigade under the Unmanned Systems Forces in January 2025, but retained its commander at the time.
‘It’s our land’ — Zelensky responds to Putin’s call with TrumpA 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
Ukrainian drones destroy Russian radar, supply depots on Black Sea gas platforms, SBU saysThe Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has destroyed a Russian radar system and warehouse facilities located on gas production platforms in the Black Sea using a coordinated drone strike, the agency said on May 19.
According to the SBU, the operation was carried out by the 13th Main Directorate of its Military Counter-Intelligence Department. The mission involved a combination of aerial and naval drones targeting Russian military infrastructure placed on Ukrainian offshore drilling rigs.
An aerial drone allegedly first struck one of the platforms, followed by a naval drone that delivered a secondary hit. The attack destroyed a Russian "Neva" radar system used for monitoring aerial and surface activity, as well as supply storage and living quarters on the platform, the SBU reported.
"In a single special operation, our specialists used two types of drones that proved highly effective when working in tandem," the agency said.
The SBU noted that the attack is part of an ongoing effort to clear the Black Sea of Russian military presence and equipment. Previous SBU naval drone operations have reportedly targeted the Crimean Bridge and 11 Russian warships.
The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims.
The SBU traditionally uses its Sea Baby drones for operations in the Black Sea, while military intelligence (HUR) deploys the Magura naval drones.
In early May, Ukraine shot down two Russian Su-30 fighter jets using air-to-air missiles fired from Magura-7 naval drones and two Russian Mi-8 helicopters in December 2024.The Magura drones also sank the Russian patrol ship Sergey Kotov on March 5, 2024, and the landing ship Caesar Kunikov on Feb. 14, 2024.
As of 2024, Ukraine was reportedly able to destroy or disable one-third of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in a drone and missile campaign, despite Moscow's significant advantage in sheer naval power.
‘Strong EU sanctions’ coming soon, US expected to sanction Russian banks, energy, Zelensky saysUkraine knows the date that the EU package will go into effect, though the president did not share that detail in his remarks. Zelensky also said he expects the U.S. to impose sanctions ‘when they see fit.’The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn
Note from the author:
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Ukraine’s mental health workers tackle war trauma and Soviet stigma in front-line regionsWhen the children arrive at a basement shelter in the Savyntsi Community Center, psychologist Olena Husman, in her blonde bob and tortoise-shell glasses, stoops down to greet a young girl in pigtails with a high five.The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta
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EU to push G7 to lower Russian oil price cap, commissioner says
The European Union will propose this week that Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers reduce the current $60-per-barrel cap on Russian seaborne oil exports, European Economic Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said on May 19, according to Reuters.
Brussels and its allies seek to further reduce the Kremlin’s revenue from fossil fuel exports, a key funding source for its war against Ukraine. Dombrovskis confirmed the EU will formally raise the issue during this week’s G7 finance ministers' meeting in Canada.
“This is something which we flagged from the Commission’s side in the context of the 18th sanctions package,” Dombrovskis said. “I would expect some interest also from other G7 partners in this regard and some discussion."
The G7 oil price cap, established in December 2022, prevents Western companies from shipping, insuring, or providing related services for Russian crude sold above $60 per barrel. EU officials told Reuters that a $50 per barrel proposal would be made at the upcoming meeting.
Western leaders are concerned that the existing cap has lost effectiveness as Russia reroutes exports through a “shadow fleet” of tankers operating outside regular maritime oversight.
The fleet enables Moscow to bypass the cap and sell oil above the threshold, including to countries in Asia. Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on May 17 said the EU would back expanded sanctions targeting this shadow fleet.
The Kremlin’s budget is increasingly strained by soaring military expenditures, with Russia’s Finance Ministry relying heavily on energy revenues to maintain operations and fund continued aggression against Ukraine.
Trump calls Putin after Ukraine, Russia peace talks in IstanbulThe call comes days after largely inconclusive negotiations in Istanbul, 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.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
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Trump seeks direct peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, Zelensky says
U.S. President Donald Trump has been clear that he aims to see direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 19 during a press briefing in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian and Russian delegations held direct talks for the first time since 2022 on May 16. They concluded without a breakthrough.
During the talks, Moscow demanded that Kyiv withdraw its troops from four partially occupied Ukrainian oblasts that Russia illegally claims as its own — Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
“For Trump, the most important thing is direct talks between Ukraine and Russia,” Zelensky said, adding that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s adviser, Vladimir Medinsky, held a call on May 19 and discussed a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange.
The exchange will happen “in the next days or weeks,” and civilians will not be included in the list, according to Zelensky.
In the meantime, Ukraine also wants to discuss with Russia the release of Ukrainian political prisoners and journalists, the president added.
Speaking about a potential ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, Zelensky said Russia will deliver a memorandum with its proposals.
Zelensky added that during a call with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 19, he asked for three things: a ceasefire, the agility to present the Ukrainian view on the memorandum and for decisions “to be agreed on Ukraine without Ukraine."
Zelensky had a call with Trump before the latter was to talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
After speaking with Trump, Putin again refused to accept a comprehensive ceasefire and said that Russia’s position in the negotiations remains unchanged and requires “eliminating the root causes” of the war.
Reacting to the Putin-Trump call, Zelensky stressed that Ukraine will not withdraw its troops from the partially Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, as the Russian delegation previously demanded in Istanbul.
Ukraine’s president added that Kyiv is also exploring the possibility of a meeting with delegations from Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the EU in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland.
‘It’s all a farce’ — Ukrainian soldiers on Russia’s ‘smokescreen’ peace talks in IstanbulThe 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
The Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak
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'Strong EU sanctions' coming soon, US expected to sanction Russian banks, energy, Zelensky says
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
The EU is preparing an important sanctions package against Russia as Moscow continues to refuse a ceasefire, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a press conference on May 19.
There is an important “strong EU sanctions package” underway, Zelensky said at a press briefing attended by the Kyiv Independent, adding that Ukraine is coordinating with the EU to impose harsh penalties on Russia.
Ukraine knows the date that the EU sanctions are expected to be rolled out, the president said, though he did not name the date in his remarks.
Zelensky said Ukraine and the EU also believe the U.S. will prepare additional sanctions against the Kremlin “when they see fit.”
Allies expect Washington “to impose sanctions on Russian banks, energy sector,” Zelensky said.
“This would be an important, strong mechanism,” he added.
U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky in separate phone calls earlier on May 19. Putin did not agree to a full, unconditional ceasefire despite calls from various world leaders to do so.
‘It’s our land’ — Zelensky responds to Putin’s call with Trump, Russia’s Ukraine ceasefire demandsA 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
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Ukraine eyes peace talks with Russia, US, and EU in neutral venue, possibly Vatican, Zelensky says
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 19 said that Kyiv is exploring the possibility of a meeting with delegations from Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the EU in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland, he announced at a press briefing attended by the Kyiv Independent.
This comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, during which he continued to refuse to agree to a full ceasefire, instead stating he is prepared to negotiate a “memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty."
The call follows days of largely inconclusive 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.
The Russian delegation at the peace talks consisted only of lower-ranking officials, raising doubts about Moscow’s commitment to ending the war, despite the Kremlin proposing the discussions.
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.
‘It’s our land’ — Zelensky responds to Putin’s call with Trump, Russia’s Ukraine ceasefire demandsA 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
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Trump and Putin's CONVERSATION: Peace INITIATIVE or KREMLIN trap for UKRAINE? | NEWS PULSE
