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Putin, Vladimir

Global Diplomacy Escalates as Leaders Discuss Ceasefire with Putin

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany, revealed plans for a pre-call with Donald Trump, US President, in advance of Trump's conversation with Vladimir Putin, Russian President, amid diplomatic efforts following inconclusive talks in Istanbul. The planned discussion comes as Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Russian President, Vladimir Putin, engage in direct talks. Meanwhile, Russia intensifies its war effort, with overnight drone attacks in various regions, including the capital, where a woman was killed. Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, condemned the attacks, stating Russia's goal is "to continue killing civilians."

Key Takeaways:

  • Merz discussed preparations for the call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aiming to coordinate with four state leaders and Trump before their conversation with Putin.
  • Trump announced plans to speak with Putin and Zelenskyy to discuss ways to stop the war's "bloodbath."
  • In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed preparations for a conversation between Putin and Trump.
  • The brief talks in Istanbul yielded only an agreement to swap 1,000 prisoners of war, the largest such exchange since the war began.
  • Ukrainian officials stated that Russia demanded Ukraine pull troops out of all Ukrainian regions claimed by Moscow before agreeing to a ceasefire, a "red line" for Ukraine.
  • Zelenskyy met US Vice President JD Vance and Rubio on the sidelines of the papal inauguration, their first meeting since publicly clashing over the war in February.
  • Ukraine fears a ballistic missile attack, with its military intelligence agency claiming Russia plans to launch an intercontinental missile from the Sverdlovsk region.
  • Ukraine reported a record number of Russian drones launched overnight, targeting various regions, with 88 destroyed and 128 astray.
  • Zelenskyy reiterated his call for stronger sanctions on Moscow after a Russian drone killed nine bus passengers in Sumy region.

Statistics:

  • Russia launched 273 Shahed attack drones and various types of imitator drones overnight, with 88 destroyed and 128 astray.
  • The US Department of State said there were 25 Ukrainian drones intercepted by Russian forces overnight.
  • The prisoner exchange agreement in Istanbul resulted in the swap of 1,000 prisoners of war.
  • Over 10,000km is the flight range for the intercontinental missile, according to Ukraine's military intelligence agency.

Sources:

  • Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/17/ukraine-says-russian-drone-attack-on-bus-kills-9-hours-after-direct-talks)
  • Al Jazeera (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/16/russia-ukraine-talks-end-in-less-than-two-hours-with-no-ceasefire-deal)

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