Putin, Trump expected to talk over phone

According to Trump, the conversation will cover the Ukrainian settlement and trade
Top Hungarian diplomat warns against admitting Ukraine into EU

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto also warned that Ukraine’s hasty accession to the EU, Brussels insists on, will lead to a direct military confrontation with Russia
Russia’s special military-op in Ukraine aimed at long-lasting peace — Putin

The president stressed that Russia has ample forces to complete the special military operation and reach the designated objectives
Inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV underway at St. Peter’s Square

The largest delegations that arrived for the ceremony are from Italy, Peru, and the United States
US, Russia to decide on time, location of Trump-Putin meeting — Rubio

In an interview with CBS News, the top US diplomat noted that currently, the US and Russian sides must determine when and where such a meeting will take place and its main topics
Lavrov, Rubio discuss results of Istanbul talks in phone conversation — Foreign Ministry

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Rubio "welcomed agreements to swap the prisoners of war and to prepare each side’s concept of conditions leading to a ceasefire and emphasized Washington’s readiness to continue assistance in seeking ways to settle the situation"
Ukraine loses up to 1,345 troops in special op zone over past day

In the responsibility zone of the Battlegroup North, Ukrainian forces lost an armored combat vehicle, six automobiles, and five field artillery guns
Kremlin refuses to comment on alleged Istanbul negotiation terms

"Negotiations are taking place behind closed doors, just as they should - to ensure they are productive," Dmitry Peskov noted
One protester killed, several injured in central Tripoli

According to Libya Press, seven ministers and four deputies in Dbeibeh’s cabinet has already resigned amid growing protests
Major prisoner swap meaningful step in talks between Moscow, Kiev — Vucic

The Serbian leader added that he did not expect combat operations to end shortly, noting that he voiced his opinion "more as an analyst than as the president of the republic"
Trump expresses confidence his meeting with Putin will be organized, held

US President added that his meetings with Vladimir Zelensky were not easy
Israeli army announces extensive strikes, planned expansion of operations in Gaza Strip

The IDF has begun conducting extensive strikes and mobilizing troops to achieve operational control in areas of the Gaza Strip
Putin, Turkmenistan’s national leader hold phone call to discuss ties — Kremlin

Vladimir Putin and Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov warmly congratulated each other on the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War
Belarus, Russia ready for joint exercises, these are defensive in nature — Lukashenko

The Belarusian president said that the countries were not going to attack anyone, contrary to what some people think
Press Review
- Press review: Russia, Ukraine prepared for negotiations as US aims to deepen OPEC+ tiesTop stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 16th
- Press review: Russia-Ukraine territorial talks set for Istanbul as EU targets oil tankersTop stories from the Russian press on Thursday, May 15th
- Press review: Russia prepares for Ukraine talks and Trump pursues Middle East megadealsTop stories from the Russian press on Wednesday, May 14th
- Press review: Russia, Ukraine mull peace as US, China slash tariffs amid tensionsTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, May 13th
- Press review: Turkey to host Russia-Ukraine talks as NATO starts drills by Russian borderTop stories from the Russian press on Monday, May 12th
Press releases
- 2025 Eventiada Awards Opens for Entries in All Languages
- Submission of applications for the Eventiada Awards will last until September 30
- Ak Bars Finance is renamed as AKBFThe rebranding is related to the change of the shareholder
- New leadership navigates China on right courseSenior officials have strong expertise, rich local-level experience, analysts say
- Ak Bars Bank: the bank is not a subsidiary or dependent company with the Ak Bars HoldingThe bank chose snow leopard as a corporate symbol many years ago
Russia, Ukraine held talks, agreeing to swap captives and meet again. Here’s what we know

The head of the Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, said he was satisfied with the outcome of the talks and Moscow is ready to continue communication
Russia, Ukraine agree to 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange — Ukrainian defense minister

Rustem Umerov did not specify the date of the swap
IN BRIEF: What is known about Russia-Ukraine talks in Turkey

The Russia-Ukraine talks opened with words of greeting from Turkey’s top diplomat Hakan Fidan
Russian troops liberate six communities in Ukraine operation over week — top brass

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 3,040 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed 26 enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the week
Russia’s delegation in Istanbul in constant contact with president — Kremlin

According to Dmitry Peskov, the president receives all information online
Press review: Russia, Ukraine prepared for negotiations as US aims to deepen OPEC+ ties

Top stories from the Russian press on Friday, May 16th
Russian delegation arrives for talks with Ukraine in Istanbul

The delegation’s motorcade arrived on the premises at 12:40 p.m. local time
IN BRIEF: What we know about Salavat plant explosion in Russia’s Bashkortostan

According to preliminary information from the local department of the Emergencies Ministry, three people have been hospitalized in grave condition
West uses Ukrainians as cannon fodder in pursuing geopolitical goals — foreign intel chief

According to Sergey Naryshkin, the crisis of the Western-centered world has primarily affected the system of values
Direct contact between Russia, Ukraine in Istanbul expected to start at 9:00 a.m. GMT

Turkey will welcome the two sides with words of greeting, the source said
White House expects Putin-Trump meeting to take place very soon

Commenting on whether Trump planned to attend the Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul, the White House official replied: "No, because we need to have all the parties decide"
Russian negotiators will be waiting for Ukrainian team in Turkey from 10 a.m. on Friday

IN BRIEF: Lavrov calls Istanbul talks 'intriguing,' urges pan-Eurasian unity

"Everyone, of course, is talking about Ukraine right now due to the intrigue that is unfolding in Istanbul," the Russian foreign minister said
Putin extended Russia’s 2021-2025 defense plan by 2 years

The defense plan for 2021-2025 was introduced on November 12, 2020
Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum gathers guests from hundreds of countries

The Kazan Expo International Exhibition Center is hosting an exhibition showcasing the achievements of various countries in different fields
US seeks to revive NATO-Russia council to aid security dialogue around Ukraine — Bloomberg

Dialogue between Russia and NATO was officially suspended in 2021