Ukraine has rallied support from its western allies after a meeting with Russia ended without a ceasefire, despite agreeing to swap 1,000 prisoners of war. The talks in Istanbul took place under pressure from US President Donald Trump and lasted less than two hours.
Russia presented conditions that Ukraine described as “non-starters,” including demands for Ukraine to withdraw from parts of its own territory to obtain a ceasefire. The Ukrainian delegation rejected these demands, calling them “detached from reality.”
European leaders, including the UK, France, Germany, and Poland, have condemned Russia’s position as “clearly unacceptable.” The European Commission is working on a new package of sanctions against Moscow.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has said his country’s top priority is a full, unconditional, and honest ceasefire to stop the killing. The meeting appears to have achieved little towards ending the conflict, but represents a symbolic win for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Meanwhile, Russia has continued its slow advance in eastern Ukraine, capturing another village in the region. A colonel general with key battle experience has been appointed head of Russia’s land forces.
The US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, has spoken out against former President Donald Trump’s foreign policy towards Ukraine, saying it put pressure on the victim rather than the aggressor. An Australian man captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine has also been jailed for 13 years on charges of being a “mercenary.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/17/ukraine-war-briefing-kyiv-rallies-support-of-allies-after-peace-talks-with-russia-end-without-ceasefire