Editor’s note: This opinion first appeared in German in Süddeutsche Zeitung.
Russia’s President — a wanted war criminal — Vladimir Putin failed to show up in Istanbul for the “direct talks” with Ukraine that he himself proposed. For the Kremlin …
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Spies, Lies, and Algorithms
Amy B. Zegart
Ukraine
Russia
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5 lies Europe tells itself about Russia’s criminal war
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
USA
'Putin is laughing at Trump' — Ukraine in disbelief as Russia makes a mockery of US-led ceasefire attempts
ISTANBUL — Russian President Vladimir Putin had rebuffed President Volodymyr Zelensky, his European allies, and the U.S., and in response, Donald Trump simply went along with it, excusing his Russian counterpart for not attending the peace talks in …
Ukraine
Russia
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Syria reportedly ends currency printing deal with Russia, eyes UAE, Germany for new banknotes
Syria plans to print a newly designed currency in Germany and the UAE instead of Russia, marking a departure from over a decade of wartime cooperation, Reuters reported on May 16, citing three unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
The decision …
Every day we are taking steps TOWARDS PEACE, — Zelenskyy on the NEGOTIATIONS in Turkey #shorts
Ukraine
Russia
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'We have to increase the pressure' — Von der Leyen vows new Russia sanctions after Putin skips peace talks
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for new sanctions against Russia after President Vladimir Putin failed to attend Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul, she said on May 16 during the European Political Community Summit.
The …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
Who is Vladimir Medinsky? The Putin aide leading Russia’s delegation at Ukraine peace talks
Despite an invitation from President Volodymyr Zelensky to meet face to face in Istanbul, President Vladimir Putin was a no-show in Turkey, sending instead an aide, Vladimir Medinsky, to head the Russian delegation in peace talks.
Medinsky headed the …
Ukraine
Russia
Protests
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Three years into full-scale war, Eurovision still hasn’t solved its Russia problem
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in neutral Switzerland, but politics are center stage. While debate continues over Israel’s participation amid the war in Gaza, Russia — banned from the contest since its full-scale invasion of …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
USA
'It's all a farce' — Ukrainian soldiers react to peace talks in Istanbul
The first direct peace talks in years between Kyiv and Moscow ended on May 16 with Russia once again rejecting an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. In turn, Russia demanded that Ukrainian troops leave four of the country’s regions, which Moscow …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
USA
'It was my duty to step down' — Former US Ambassador to Ukraine confirms resignation over Trump's policy
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink publicly confirmed on May 16 that she resigned due to President Donald Trump’s administration’s foreign policy direction, she wrote in a May 16 op-ed for the Detroit Free Press.
Brink, who …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
With Ukraine’s Peaky Blinders chasing Russian soldiers near Pokrovsk
The Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrell and Olena Zashko spent a day with one of Ukraine’s most effective drone units, “Peaky Blinders,” named after the British gang portrayed in a popular British TV show. Although they also …
Ukraine
Russia
EU plans to double artillery shell shipments to Ukraine
Europe is poised to double its shipment of large-caliber artillery shells to Ukraine this year, according to EURACTIV. The announcement came from Robert Brieger, Chairman of the EU Military Committee, following a Brussels meeting with EU defense …
Ukraine
Russia
Results of Ukraine — Russia talks: Umerov announces prisoners EXCHANGE #shorts
Ukraine
Russia
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Ukraine, Russia agree to hold follow-up meeting after Istanbul peace talks, Turkish FM says
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Ukraine and Russia have agreed in principle to hold a follow-up meeting during their talks in Istanbul on May 16, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced, according to the …
Russia
Devastating blasts in Crimea: ammo depot in flames, major transport routes closures
Morning of May 16 began with reports of explosions near Simferopol, Sevastopol, and several other Crimean locations. Telegram channel Crimean Wind reported that an ammunition depot in Perevalnoye was set ablaze, leading authorities to shut down the …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
USA
Zelensky, European leaders speak with Trump, call for pressure on Russia following Istanbul peace talks
President Volodymyr Zelensky and several top European leaders held a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on May 16, the Ukrainian leader announced on Telegram.
The conversation took place shortly after the conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
BREAKING: Russia, Ukraine agree on 1,000-for-1,000 POW exchange in Istanbul, Umerov says
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russia and Ukraine have reached an agreement in Istanbul for the exchange of prisoners of war (POWs) on a 1,000-for-1,000 basis, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who was leading …
Russia
ZELENSKYY: I was READY for the meeting with PUTIN! Вut he sent a very low-level delegation #shorts
Ukraine
Russia
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BREAKING: Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul end less than two hours in
Editor’s note: This story is being updated.
The Ukrainian and Russian delegations concluded their talks in Istanbul on May 16 after speaking for less than two hours, Sky News reported, citing an unnamed source from the Turkish Foreign Ministry. …
Ukraine
Russia
FIRST direct talks between Ukraine and Russia in over three years! TURKEY hosts the meeting #shorts
Ukraine
Russia
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Putin appoints general who led Mariupol assault as new Russian Ground Forces Commander
Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Colonel General Andrey Mordvichev, who led the assault on Mariupol in 2022, as the Commander of the Russian Ground Forces, Russian state-controlled media reported on May 15.
The appointment comes amid …
Russia
Putin HID from the talks! What will the meetings in ISTANBUL lead to?
Ukraine
Russia
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European summit in Albania to focus on tougher sanctions against Russia, Politico reports
Talks at the European Political Community summit in Tirana will center on significantly tightening sanctions against Moscow, Politico reported on May 16, citing four unnamed European officials.
Earlier in the day, President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived …
Ukraine
Russia
Photos
NEWSFLASH: Peace talks begin in Turkey
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