Ukrainians believe that Russia is not interested in ending the war and will not make any concessions despite the talks.
Kyiv residents have voiced concern after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke positively about his phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and suggested a swift resolution to the war—potentially by conceding Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory to Moscow.
“For Ukrainians, this is a negative sign. And I think that no one will just let it go,” said Oleksandr Sokhatskyi, a financial consultant in Kyiv, speaking to CNN on Thursday about the possibility of Ukraine losing land to Russia. “Or maybe (the United States and Russia) are just testing whether we will accept it in silence or respond with opposition.”
While some Ukrainians expressed hope for a fair peace deal, few believed it was likely. Many feared that Putin was influencing Trump, steering him toward a settlement favorable to Moscow.
“Trump said the war would be over in 24 hours and it’s been a while. I don’t see any prospect (of ending the war) anytime soon,” said 70-year-old Liudmyla Bilozerova.
“I would like to believe that everything will work out. Ukraine wants peace. This is the most important thing,” added Viktor, a pensioner. “It’s bad that they bypass Ukraine, negotiate with Putin, and the EU isn’t invited to the talks.”
“The surrender of territory is the most sensitive issue,” Viktor said, stressing that Ukrainians want to return to the borders the country enjoyed after its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 until 2014, when Russia seized Crimea. “We cannot understand what they (Putin and Trump) are talking about behind our backs.”
Trump’s phone call with Putin sparked concerns across Europe that he might push for a deal unfavorable to Kyiv. When asked on Wednesday whether he considers Ukraine an equal partner in the peace process, Trump hesitated, responding, “Um, that’s an interesting question.”
Earlier, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told NATO defense ministers that Ukraine’s NATO membership was unrealistic, as was the prospect of reclaiming all the territory Russia has annexed since its initial invasion in 2014.
“We know that Russia is highly deceptive—they can pretend to cooperate, but when it comes to real concessions and peace agreements, they never follow through,” said Yuliya Kazdobina of the Kyiv-based foreign policy think tank Ukrainian Prism. “No matter how much we want peace, I don’t think it’s possible because Russia hasn’t changed its stance and won’t.”
Sokhatskyi echoed these concerns, emphasizing the cost of war: “Given how many lives have already been lost, ending the war on someone else’s terms would dishonor those sacrifices. Why did our soldiers die defending these territories if we are to give them up now? We must not surrender our land—it would mean forgetting those who fought and fell for it.”
Russia and Ukraine launched more overnight air attacks on each other's capitals, resulting in two deaths in Kyiv. The drone strikes on Kyiv sparked fires, while Moscow's air defences destroyed multiple drones.
A Russian drone attack on Kyiv has left 11 injured and homes damaged, as Ukraine rejects Moscow’s proposed ceasefire as political theater.
Ukrainian authorities reported multiple injuries and one child fatality after overnight drone attacks they attributed to Russia struck several regions, including Kyiv.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
A ballistic missile linked to North Korea killed at least eight in Kyiv, marking a concerning escalation in Russia's use of foreign weaponry, Ukrainian sources reveal.
The United States has warned Vietnam that its \$123 billion trade deficit is “unsustainable” as both nations enter reciprocal tariff negotiations, prompting Hanoi to crack down on illicit transshipments and seek greater imports of U.S. high-tech goods.
In a high‑stakes May 18 runoff, nationalist George Simion and centrist Nicușor Dan clash in a tight race that could steer Romania’s political and European trajectory for years to come.
On May 19, London and Brussels are set to kick off their first annual summit, prioritizing a new UK–EU defense and security pact even as negotiations continue with Washington over tariff relief on British steel, cars and aerospace components.
Archer Aviation’s four‑seat “Midnight” electric air taxi will shuttle fans, VIPs and support teams between major LA28 venues—SoFi Stadium, the Coliseum, LAX and more—in 10–20 minute hops, marking the first use of eVTOLs at any Olympic Games.
On May 16, 2025, Tirana, Albania, hosts the sixth European Political Community (EPC) Summit. Under the theme "A New Europe in a New World: Unity – Cooperation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war in Gaza will not stop until Hamas is destroyed, following the release of US-Israeli soldier Edan Alexander.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
Qatar signed a landmark agreement with U.S. aerospace giant Boeing on Wednesday to acquire 160 aircraft for Qatar Airways, a deal valued at $200 billion. The signing took place in Doha during the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
The United States has warned Vietnam that its \$123 billion trade deficit is “unsustainable” as both nations enter reciprocal tariff negotiations, prompting Hanoi to crack down on illicit transshipments and seek greater imports of U.S. high-tech goods.
In a high‑stakes May 18 runoff, nationalist George Simion and centrist Nicușor Dan clash in a tight race that could steer Romania’s political and European trajectory for years to come.
On May 19, London and Brussels are set to kick off their first annual summit, prioritizing a new UK–EU defense and security pact even as negotiations continue with Washington over tariff relief on British steel, cars and aerospace components.
Archer Aviation’s four‑seat “Midnight” electric air taxi will shuttle fans, VIPs and support teams between major LA28 venues—SoFi Stadium, the Coliseum, LAX and more—in 10–20 minute hops, marking the first use of eVTOLs at any Olympic Games.
On May 16, 2025, Tirana, Albania, hosts the sixth European Political Community (EPC) Summit. Under the theme "A New Europe in a New World: Unity – Cooperation
The United States has warned Vietnam that its \$123 billion trade deficit is “unsustainable” as both nations enter reciprocal tariff negotiations, prompting Hanoi to crack down on illicit transshipments and seek greater imports of U.S. high-tech goods.
In a high‑stakes May 18 runoff, nationalist George Simion and centrist Nicușor Dan clash in a tight race that could steer Romania’s political and European trajectory for years to come.
On May 19, London and Brussels are set to kick off their first annual summit, prioritizing a new UK–EU defense and security pact even as negotiations continue with Washington over tariff relief on British steel, cars and aerospace components.
Archer Aviation’s four‑seat “Midnight” electric air taxi will shuttle fans, VIPs and support teams between major LA28 venues—SoFi Stadium, the Coliseum, LAX and more—in 10–20 minute hops, marking the first use of eVTOLs at any Olympic Games.
On May 16, 2025, Tirana, Albania, hosts the sixth European Political Community (EPC) Summit. Under the theme "A New Europe in a New World: Unity – Cooperation
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