Russian Assault Operations Continue, and Our Forces Maintain All Necessary Combat Activity – Address by the President

21 May 2025 – 21:37

Dear Ukrainians!

Just now, there was an in-depth briefing by Ukraine’s Minister of Defense Umerov and the military commanders regarding the front line and our defense relations with partners. Russian assault operations continue, and our forces maintain all necessary combat activity. The most intense situation remains in the Donetsk region, particularly in the Pokrovsk direction. We are also continuing active operations in the Kursk and Belgorod regions – this is our active and effective defense of the Sumy region, the defense of the Kharkiv region. Since the start of the Kursk operation in August, the Russian army has suffered significant losses – more than 63,000 killed and wounded in that area alone. Our forces have also managed to substantially replenish the exchange fund for Ukraine. The more combat activity is carried out on enemy territory, the more it protects our communities.

Unfortunately, the Russians show no signals of a ceasefire, and they are not yet ready to end the war. Therefore, all our forms of pressure, all our work with partners to put pressure on Russia, are absolutely necessary. Pressure convinces. Pressure on the battlefield. Pressure on the economy – and that is exactly what sanctions are for. Pressure in politics. I want to thank everyone who supports Ukraine.

I want to recognize our warriors now who have distinguished themselves in recent weeks. This is our 14th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine – thank you! Also, the 36th Marine Brigade, also, the 25th Assault Battalion, and the 1st Assault Regiment – thank you all. This is the defense focused specifically on the Pokrovsk direction. I am also grateful for the operations in the Kursk region. I want to thank every soldier of ours, every sergeant and officer, and all our units.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister reported on the details of cooperation with partners regarding new arms supplies. We are also actively working to attract investment into domestic production here in Ukraine. Production will only continue to grow, and this is our long-term security guarantee. I held several international calls today. President of the European Council Costa – I informed him about the talks with the United States and the corresponding agreements with other European partners. We are also thoroughly preparing the negotiation process regarding Ukraine’s accession. On our side, everything is in place specifically for opening the first clusters. I also discussed this with Prime Minister of Poland Tusk – Poland currently holds the EU Presidency, and it is important that this presidency delivers results. I also spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, including about possible formats of meetings and joint work. Together, we are strengthening diplomacy.

And one more critical issue: we are preparing an exchange. Reports come in practically every day. We must free all of our people, absolutely. We are verifying information for every name. We are trying to do everything possible. And we are trying hard.

Glory to Ukraine!

First Lady Zelenska visited a facility that provides supported living services to people with disabilities.

Georgia:

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 175

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 2:31 PM

Day 175. As Rubio signaled a strong stance against the Georgian Dream regime in response to Joe Wilson’s question at the House, American flags are out prominently again at today’s #GeorgiaProtests. It’s always the case when there are good news from 🇺🇸.

📷 Giorgi Mumladze

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 1:07 PM

May 21 is the Circassian Genocide Remembrance Day.

Proud that Georgia was the first country to call it what it was, and I’m glad that Ukraine has followed recently.

It’s one of the worst fates any nation has ever had. I am so very sorry…

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 3:57 PM

🔴 Georgian Dream-Style FARA with No Limits – What We Know

On May 21, the head of Georgia’s Anti-Corruption Bureau revealed just how broadly the new “foreign agents law” could be applied. Even award money could land someone on the list. (1/2)

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM

🗣️“A journalist funded by foreign money – regardless of the donor – who engages in political activity must register in FARA,” said Razhden Kuprashvili, head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
🔴Even awards / travel funding count, and hosting a political talk show qualifies as political activity. (2/2)

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 21, 2025 at 10:21 AM

Have a look! Apparently, in the ever-expanding definition of a foreign agent, this new wave of crackdown now includes the Georgian Dream requiring Georgians that work at foreign embassies to register themselves as foreign agents…

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 1:43 PM

As you know, the GD regime rolled out a new version of the #RussianLaw on foreign agents, calling it FARA and claiming it’s a direct copy of the American FARA. Well, you decide. 2/

— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM

Over the past two days, Razhden Kuprashvili, head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau tasked with overseeing the defamatory registry, has been meeting with various social groups. 3/

— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM

As I wrote earlier today, yesterday he met with embassy representatives and demanded that all their employees register as principals of foreign influence. This is unprecedented. 4/

— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM

Today, Kuprashvili met with media outlets and civil society organizations. Those present at the meeting report the same thing: the regime refuses to clarify the law, keeping its terms as vague as possible. 5/

— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM

Key takeaway from these meetings: Kuprashvili stated that the law CAN be applied to ANYONE engaged in ANY form of public discussion. Political and public engagement is defined as broadly as possible. 6/

— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM

For example, if an IT professional or accountant works remotely and receives money from abroad, the law will apply to them, and they’ll be forced to register as an agent IF they post anything political. Literally anything. 7/

— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM

The ACB won’t bother to check whether the foreign funds are tied to political activity or completely unrelated to it. If you receive a dime from abroad & have an opinion on anything beyond art (even that’s debatable), you’re required to label your public activities as those of an “agent.” 8/

— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM

Think that’s all? You haven’t been paying attention. Kuprashvili also claimed they’ll use various methods to force individuals to register in the registry and will launch criminal cases against those who don’t, with penalties of up to 5 years in prison. 9/

— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM

The Bureau will also monitor bank accounts and deploy spies to track anyone who refuses to register. Registering isn’t just a moral betrayal, it comes with dire consequences. 10/

— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM

The Bureau will have the right to enter your home or office at any time, demand access to your private digital communications, and the state will gain full access to your personal life, including your sexual history. 11/

— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM

The ECHR must issue an interim measure to halt this law until Georgian society defeats the regime through #GeorgiaProtests. This isn’t just about media and CSOs anymore. This law can target ANYONE.

Please, help me spread the word. 12/END

— Anna Gvarishvili (@annagvarish.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:20 PM

🚨 2/ US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on GD:

“The goal of the US are for international interests… Is it in our national interest to have an anti-American gov’t governing an important part of the world? If not, we’ll take appropriate actions to impose costs on that gov’t.”

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM

2/ Rubio responded to Congressman Joe Wilson’s question about the GD’s anti-Western, anti-American government. His full quote:

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM

3/ “The goal of the US are for international interests, so we will look at that and say, is it in our national interest to have an anti-American government governing an important part of the world? And if not, we’ll take appropriate actions to impose costs on that government”

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM

4/ “That’s currently under review, and we’re looking for options and additional options. I have no announcement of a specific thing — what we plan to do yet — but I can tell you that that is something that’s being discussed”.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM

“5/ And again, a great example of why we’re going to look to our regional bureaus and our local office on the ground there to provide its guidance as to what are the measures that the government — the anti-American government — would be most responsive to”.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM

💢 On May 21, Georgian Dream-appointed PM Irakli Kobakhidze said he hadn’t received a response to his open letter to Donald Trump, calling the silence itself “a significant answer.”

Hours later, US State Secretary Marco Rubio made his first public remarks on #Georgia, responding to Rep. Joe Wilson.⤵️

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 21, 2025 at 12:36 PM

Joe Wilson is today what Senator John McCain was for Georgia in the 2000s, and for that, we are forever grateful! 2/2.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 11:32 AM

Please keep an eye on the upcoming possible arrest of opposition leader Zurab Girchi Japaridze tomorrow, which might also be followed by some other leaders.

Post by his party member Tinatin Bolokadze.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 8:46 AM

Spain:

❗️Andriy Portnov, ex-aide to ousted Ukrainian President Yanukovych , was shot dead in Madrid.

Portnov fled Ukraine after the 2014 revolution and later resurfaced in Europe. He was considered as a traitor for his role in backing Moscow-aligned politics and supporting Russian narratives.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 6:03 AM

/2. After Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, authorities launched multiple investigations against him, including charges of treason. www.reuters.com/world/europe…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 6:03 AM

/3. The first footage from the scene of Portnov’s murder.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 6:07 AM

The US:

Rubio is unable to call Putin a war criminal after bombed hospitals, churches, playgrounds, destroyed cities, uncovered mass graves and torture chambers, the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant for mass abduction of children, the Kakhovka dam destruction, and God knows what else.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:11 PM

This perfectly illustrates where we are. You need to talk and trade with Putin, looking at the war crimes but choosing not to see—just like after Crimea and Donbas, just like after Georgia and Syria. Always, as long as it’s others who pay the price of ignorance.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:11 PM

We are where we always were: letting us rot for you to live unbothered.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:11 PM

Back to Ukraine.

Ukraine launches two big waves of drones against fascist Russia tonight, plus a smaller wave towards Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Crimea. Moscow airports suffered disruption earlier due to drone activity. Map created by t.me/dronbomber using Russian sources.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM

Night hunt for Shaheds.
The video from the cockpit of a MiG-29 fighter shows the destruction of an enemy Shahed-type attack drone by a pilot with the call sign “Yellowtail.”
He has over a hundred combat sorties to his name.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 10:46 AM

Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi, Kharkiv Oblast:

One man died in the russian attack on Kupiansk- Vuzlovyi in the Kharkiv region, and two women were injured.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:14 PM

Kharkiv:

Russian drones are approaching Kharkiv right now ‼️ air raid alert in the city⚠️

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 6:26 PM

Explosion in Kharkiv ‼️ the city is under the russian drone attack right now!

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 6:30 PM

Donetsk Oblast (I think):

A Russian infantryman was mid-poop when a Birds of Magyar FPV drone ruined his moment.c

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 2:14 PM

Dnipropetrovsk Oblast:

Russians spread false claims that their troops had reached Dnipropetrovsk’s border, which Ukraine denied. DeepState identified one Russian from a widely shared photo – all have since been eliminated.

One might say: to see Dnipropetrovsk and die.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 3:24 PM

Moscow:

Lavrov dismissed calls for a ceasefire with Ukraine.
He claimed the West “tricked” Russia in 2014 with a “coup” in Kyiv, during the Minsk agreements, and again in 2022 by allegedly preventing Ukraine from signing a peace deal, casting Russia as the perpetual victim in its narrative.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 10:14 AM

“The USSR ‘still exists,’ and the war in Ukraine is an ‘internal process,’ stated Putin’s advisor Kobyakov. According to him, the legal procedure for the dissolution of the Soviet Union ‘was violated.'”

He fails to grasp that Russia itself acknowledged Ukraine’s internationally

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:22 PM

recognized borders, pledged to uphold and protect them, and then flagrantly violated both international law and its own commitments by launching an invasion.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 12:22 PM

Oryol Oblast, Russia:

Ukrainian drones targeted Russian territory last night.

The strike hit a key microelectronics plant in the Oryol region, whose products are used in communication systems, command and control, electronic warfare, and simulators for tanks and missile systems.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 21, 2025 at 8:07 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

Here’s a new(ish) – as in I haven’t posted it here before – from Patron’s official YouTube channel for his official cartoon.

Open thread!

It Is America That Russia Fears, and It Is American Influence That Can Save Many Lives – Address by the President

20 May 2025 – 19:29

I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!

Today, we continue to work very actively with our partners. I have already spoken with the President of Finland, Alexander Stubb; the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Giorgia Meloni; the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz; the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen; and also the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre. I have more conversations scheduled today – the day is far from over. We need joint positions and even more coordinated efforts. Diplomacy is stronger when we are united. We are discussing with our partners the details and ideas from yesterday’s conversation with U.S. President Trump. It is important that America remains engaged in the process of bringing peace closer. It is America that Russia fears, and it is American influence that can save many lives, if used as leverage to make Putin end the war. We are talking with our partners about future meetings with the Russians – direct negotiations that Ukraine is fully ready for, in any format that yields results. I thank everyone who is helping us.

Today brings important decisions on sanctions. A new European sanctions package — the 17th — is already in place. This is a step in the right direction, and there should be as many sanctioning steps as necessary for Russia to become interested in peace and to feel the full price of its aggression and desire to prolong the war. It is Moscow that is dragging out the war. Therefore, Russian oil, the tanker fleet, all their energy infrastructure that finances the war, all their banks, all financial schemes, and Russia’s military industry – all these must be targeted by sanctions. I discussed with Ursula von der Leyen the next sanctioning steps – Europe’s steps – the 18th sanctions package. It is already being prepared. The United Kingdom has also made a sanctions decision – I am grateful for that. We also continue working on sanctions at various levels with the United States.. We are making the case that this is exactly what is needed to stop Putin from lying about ending the war. Time will prove us right.

Today, the Crown Prince of Norway visited Ukraine – it’s very symbolic, and we appreciate this gesture. It is a gesture of support for our people, for Ukrainians’ fight to defend their state and their independence. Ukraine and Norway – we are doing a lot together. This year, Norway will provide almost USD 8 billion in support to our state. Also, today, in my conversation with the Norwegian Prime Minister, we specifically discussed the energy sector – we are ensuring energy stability for Ukraine. And there will also be more investments in our Ukrainian drone production.

I would like to thank all partners who are helping us in this very way – by investing in weapon production in Ukraine now, so that our technologies and our production facilities can later work for our shared security. We are determined to guarantee a reliable peace. We are not stopping for a single day in our efforts to enhance Ukraine’s strength.

Glory to Ukraine!

First Lady Zelenska attended the opening of the therapeutic garden:

Georgia:

Day 174 of continuous protests in Tbilisi, 🇬🇪

#GeorgiaProtests

📷 Mindia Gabadze/Publika

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM

This👇🏻 Day 174!

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 2:56 PM

Mzisa Gabeshia is protesting against the politics of GD in the small town of Martvili alone, every day.

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 174

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 8:58 AM

Today, the final-year students graduated from school.

As per tradition, they came wearing white shirts and left memorable inscriptions on each other’s clothing.

This shirt reads: “Freedom to the prisoners of the regime.”

#GeorgiaProtests

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 9:44 AM

🗣️ ”Georgia’s free media are on the frontline — heroes defending freedom and free speech,” said Nino Evgenidze, CSO of EPRC_Georgia, at the European Parliament’s Democracy Shield Committee, addressing Georgia’s alarming press freedom situation.
#RepressionInGeorgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) May 20, 2025 at 12:24 PM

1/ The German Embassy in Georgia has confirmed an incident in which citizen Valeri Kochiashvili verbally abused Ambassador Peter Fischer in Batumi. The embassy thanked those who supported the ambassador in this situation. “There were no police on the scene,” the embassy said.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 3:28 PM

2/ The propaganda channel POSTV has released a video of Valeri Kochiashvili, in which he says that on May 18, he met German Ambassador Peter Fischer at a restaurant in Batumi and cursed at him.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 3:28 PM

The US:

Majority of Americans believe Putin stalling peace talks, back sanctions if Russia refuses to negotiate, poll shows #Ukraine

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— AmplifyUkraine 🔱🇺🇦 (@amplifyukraine.eu) May 20, 2025 at 12:26 AM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Over 60% of Americans believe Russian President Vladimir Putin is “stalling” peace talks involving the United States, and back weaponry shipments to Ukraine and additional sanctions if Russia refuses to negotiate a peace deal, according to a Harvard CAPS Harris poll released on May 19.

Two-thirds of poll respondents said that they believe Putin is “playing games and stalling” in peace deal negotiations involving the United States, with only 34% of respondents believing Putin “genuinely wants to end the war.” In contrast, 62% of respondents believed President Volodymyr Zelensky wanted to end the war.

A further 62% of respondents also indicated that that the “Trump administration (should) continue to provide weaponry to Ukraine and impose further economic sanctions on Russia if it refuses to negotiate” a peace deal, with 38% of respondents against additional weaponry and sanctions.

The survey, which was fielded May 14-15, pre-dates U.S. President Donald Trump’s phone call with Putin on May 19.

Following Trump’s two-hour phone call with the Russian president, Putin once again did not agree to a ceasefire, instead offering to negotiate a “memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty” with Ukraine.

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office following the phone call that he will not impose further sanctions against Russia “because there’s a chance” of progress towards a ceasefire

“Because I think there’s a chance of getting something done, and if you do that, you could also make it much worse,” Trump said.

In separate comments to reporters following the phone call, Trump responded that he trusts Putin and believes he wants peace.

Despite Trump’s efforts to broker a peace deal, 59% of respondents indicated that they believe Trump is “not tough enough” when dealing with Putin, while 31% believed Trump’s demeanor with Putin to be “about right.” A further 10% of respondents said Trump was “too tough” with Putin.

Respondents were also relatively split as to whether they believe Trump will successfully negotiate the end of the war, with 58% of respondents saying that Trump will “not solve” the war, while 42% of respondents believe Trump will help end the war.

Initially elected on the campaign promise to end the war within “24 hours,” Trump has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated at the pace of negotiations. On May 19, Trump reiterated he would abandon efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine if progress is not made.

“I tell you, big egos involved, but I think something’s going to happen. And if it doesn’t, I just back away, and they’re going to have to keep going,” Trump said.

The poll was conducted conducted online within the United States, surveying 1,903 registered voters. The poll is deemed accurate +/- 2.2 percentage point, 19 times out of 20.

“He is stepping away,” said one senior diplomat briefed on a call between Trump and European leaders following his conversation with Putin. “Supporting and financing Ukraine, putting pressure on Russia: that’s all on us now.”

All the analysis you need in today’s Europe Express

on.ft.com/4jg5VN8

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— Henry Foy (@henryjfoy.ft.com) May 20, 2025 at 1:25 AM

From The Financial Times:

For months European leaders have worried that US President Donald Trump would abandon Ukraine to a shotgun peace agreement dictated by Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

That fear began to feel more real last night as he signalled he was done trying to broker a deal — and putting pressure on Moscow.

Context: Trump was elected pledging to end the conflict immediately, but months of US-led shuttle diplomacy have failed to do so. Trump and Putin spoke for two hours last night, their third publicly disclosed discussion since the former took office in January. US support for Ukraine is critical given its military and financial might and intelligence capabilities.

“Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire,” Trump announced after the call. “The tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent.”

But the US would no longer play referee, he added: “The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.”

That was made stark in a subsequent call Trump held with the leaders of Ukraine, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the European Commission, people briefed on the conversation said. The US was leaving this to the belligerents, he told them, and could not promise to continue putting pressure on Moscow.

That’s vastly different from the announcement a week ago by European leaders, who said the US had backed an ultimatum to Putin that Moscow would be hit with major new sanctions if it didn’t agree to an immediate ceasefire.

European officials said last night that the call represented a major victory for the Russian leader after he spent weeks refusing to engage with peace efforts while signalling enough rhetorical willingness to keep stringing along Trump.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the quiet bit out loud: “It is crucial for all of us that the United States does not distance itself from the talks and the pursuit of peace, because the only one who benefits from that is Putin.”

“He is stepping away,” said one senior European diplomat briefed on the call. “Supporting and financing Ukraine, putting pressure on Russia: that’s all on us now.”

Following the call Putin merely said he was “ready to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum about the possible future peace agreement”.

But his foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov was more exuberant. It was a “frank and friendly” conversation where the presidents used their first names, he said, and neither wanted to be the first to hang up.

No additional sanctions on Russia

No additional military assistance for Ukraine

No pressure to end the war except asking nicely

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 7:31 AM

It does fall flat, doesn’t it? We did everything Trump and his administration asked of us, yet there are no additional sanctions on Russia, no additional support for Ukraine, no pressure on Putin to end the war. It’s a slow betrayal, dragged out just enough to keep anger at bay.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 11:58 AM

Kallas stated that Brussels “did not see any pressure” from the U.S. on Russia during the negotiations on Ukraine.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 5:48 AM

Back to Ukraine.

russia has stolen 1.7 million items of Ukrainian cultural heritage from ancient artifacts to museum collections.

This is not mere looting; it is an attempt to erase Ukraine’s identity. russia’s war against #Ukraine is also a war against our memory, culture, and our right to exist.

U24MEDIA/ Insta

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— Eugene McParland 🇺🇦 (@eugenemcparland.bsky.social) May 19, 2025 at 12:20 PM

The theft and destruction of Ukrainian heritage is russia’s deliberate policy.

We call on the international community to ensure accountability for these crimes and to protect Ukraine’s cultural legacy.

— Eugene McParland 🇺🇦 (@eugenemcparland.bsky.social) May 19, 2025 at 12:20 PM

Double AASM Hammer strike on Russian positions by MiG-29 t.me/soniah_hub/1…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 10:10 AM

Russia’s latest Shahed kamikaze drones are now equipped with a new 90-kilogram warhead, effectively turning them into weapons of mass destruction — they are capable of destroying entire floors of buildings and causing maximum damage to their targets.
defence-ua.com/weapon_and_t…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 7:47 AM

From Defense Express:

Long-range strike forces of russia started using two new types of warheads with Shahed-136 one-way attack drones. One of these novelties was made in russia, while the other is courtesy of allied iran. Both have an increased weight of 90 kg, up from standard 50 kg.

Defense Express learned the details from its sources familiar with the matter, received photos and a description of Shaheds’ new equipment.

The new 90-kg warhead of russian production was designated KOFZBCh which is an acronym for “shaped-charge-fragmentation-high-explosive-incendiary warhead.” The explosive remained unchanged: TGF-35P2 which is TNT mixed with phlegmatized RDX, same as in the standard 50-kilogram OFZBCh-50 warhead that lacked the anti-armor effect. The incendiary action is achieved by using a powder mixture of metal hydrides giving a high combustion temperature of up to 3,500°C.

For a reminder, since December 2024, the russian invasion forces have been using a similar combined-action warhead with all the ant-tank, HE-FRAG, incendiary components labelled BST-52, but its weight was about 50 kg.

Next, the iranian-made new warhead also weighs 90 kg and combines shaped-charge, high-explosive, and fragmentation action. That is, it does not incorporate incendiary elements. The device belongs to the OLA-series explosives, based on octogen and aluminum with an intermediate charge made of RDX.

More at the link.

Kharkiv:

Yesterday’s Russian attacks on the Kharkiv region injured two women and destroyed several households

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 7:35 AM

The Zaporizhzhia front:

Heavy night bomber drone pursued and bombarded a Russian 9S36 radar station of the Buk air defense system, on the Zaporizhzhia front. t.me/exilenova_pl…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 11:32 AM

Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

This reporting includes NEIVANMADE.

Donetsk Oblast (I think):

Russian assault group on a tank stopped by the Birds of Magyar unit t.me/Wormbusters/…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 11:22 AM

Chasiv Yar:

One of Russia’s top snipers, Vitaliy “Ded” Shapovalov, was eliminated near Chasiv Yar.

He had served in the military for over 20 years, having fought in Chechnya and Syria, and had been part of the so-called “special military operation” since day one. Decorated with numerous medals and orders.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 3:12 PM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

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If you can help, if you want to help us to help cats and dogs in 5 shelters in Ukraine. Please do donate!
#seocharity

All 5 shelters have 300+ cats and dogs and they are NOT in cages. The pic is real.

donate.stripe.com/6oE15C1Srfzn…

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— Anton Shulke (@antonshulke.bsky.social) May 20, 2025 at 11:59 AM

Open thread!