Not so long ago, it was Marco Rubio who implied that sanctions against Russia could be lifted just after a meeting in France with European leaders. π
Amid a conversation with Donald Trump, Putin signed a decree on conducting βstate monitoring of damage caused to Russia by foreign states and organizationsβ.
6/14
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Putin's demands remain maximalist, as Russia seeks "to eliminate the causes of the crisis, create the conditions for lasting peace, and guarantee the country's security."
The problem is that Putin is the root cause of the crisis.
7/14
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Just before Putin's call with Trump, Vance said Trump would ask him if he was serious about peace talks. This could be a sign of the beginnings of irritation. Putin is taking a risk by continuing this charade of negotiations.
8/14
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Before his phone call with Putin, Trump asked Zelenskyy what he should discuss with him, β WSJ
Zelenskyy told Trump that he should push Putin to accept the 30-day ceasefire and agree to meet with him in Trump's presence.
9/14
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Putin came out to the journalists after the phone conversation with Trump.
He said the conversation lasted more than two hours and called it "meaningful, frank and very useful."
More statements from the dictator:
βͺοΈDuring the conversation, Trump expressed his position on the ceasefire.
βͺοΈTrump noted that Russia is in favor of a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Ukraine
βͺοΈA ceasefire with Ukraine is possible upon reaching relevant agreements.
βͺοΈ The memorandum between Russia and Ukraine may include issues of ceasefire and principles of settlement.
βͺοΈThe resumption of contacts in Istanbul indicates that the parties are "on the right track."
βͺοΈTermination is possible upon reaching appropriate agreements.
βͺοΈRF and Ukraine must find compromises that suit both sides.
10/14
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According to analysts, Putin's position did not change and Trump did not exert enough pressure.
Putin's words about a "peaceful solution" only repeat the Kremlin's previous rhetoric and can be interpreted as a rejection of the 30-day truce.
11/14
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Trump and Putin affectionately addressed each other by name β Donald and Volodya β and could not decide who would hang up first, as if in a romantic comedy against the backdrop of a geopolitical drama, β Ushakov
Trump told Putin he could call him "at any time," according to an aide to the Russian dictator.
12/14
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It's been 195 days, and Trump still hasn't gotten anything from Putin, much less an end to this war in 24 hours.
Our only hope is that Putin will finally bruise Trump's ego, his most sensitive organ, and finally impose the infamous 500β tariffs on Russia and all its supporters, as well as military aid to Ukraine.
13/14
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βIf Russia does not stop the killings, if it does not release prisoners & hostages, if Putin puts forward unrealistic conditions, then this will mean that Russia continues to drag out the war & deserves that Europe, America & the whole world behave accordingly,β β Zelenskyy declared in his evening
address
14/14 END
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On May 19, Polish customs have intercepted a shipment of goods to Russia via Azerbaijan that are banned under sanctions. The sender was a Spanish company.
5 tons of aircraft tires will not be delivered to Russia thanks to Polish customs services.
According to Polandβs National Revenue Administration (KAS), the tires were discovered during an inspection of a truck in Koroszczyn. Instead of the declared tires for cars and buses, they were transporting tires for aircraft.
European leaders met in Albania to debate security concerns against π·πΊ-πΊπ¦ war backdrop
47 leaders gathered there - heads of state and government, as well as heads of key European institutions & organizations.
βUkraine is ready to take all realistic steps to end this war... If it turns out that the π·πΊ delegation really is just theatrical & canβt deliver any results today, the world must respond.β
It should include βsanctions against Russiaβs energy sector & banks.β
Mark this date, Putin was actually afraid to meet Zelenskyy in Istanbul.
1/10
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π£οΈ"Your President is afraid to come," journalists in Turkiye hint that Putin is a coward at Vladimir Medinsky: Russia's history hawk who took part in failed talks with Ukraine at the start of Moscow's full scale invasion.
2/10
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π£οΈ President Erdogan confirmed to us that he considers Crimea Ukrainian, β President Zelenskyy
The European Commission was readying βin the coming daysβ a new package of measures targeting βfinancial services, & oil, on secondary sellersβΒ in cooperation with the U.S. in case the Kremlin does not agree to an unconditional ceasefire, Macron says
"We will impose sanctions against Russia in the coming days, in collaboration with the United States. Ursula von der Leyen is in the United States to implement them. This concerns hydrocarbons and financial sanctions." said Emmanuel Macron on TF1
Putin does not want a ceasefire. He is afraid of direct negotiations with me, β Zelenskyy
1/6
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βI am ready to meet with Putin, we have not discussed or worked out other formats yet,β β Zelenskyy said when asked whether the Ukrainian side plans to meet with someone else if, for example, Putin sends advisors instead of himself.
2/6
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If Putin flies to Istanbul, not Ankara, President Erdogan and I will also arrive there, β Zelenskyy
The president said he was doing this to prevent the Russian side from manipulating the meeting locations. Zelensky also stressed that he would meet with Erdogan in Ankara on May 15. He also suggested that Trump join the meeting, saying it would have more influence on Putin.
We will do everything to make this meeting happen. If Putin is ready to meet not only in the media, but also in real life.