Zelensky met Vance for the first time since the Oval Office argument

On May 18, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome, marking their first encounter since a contentious Oval Office meeting in February 2025. Zelensky described the meeting as "good," focusing on discussions about negotiations in Istanbul, where Russia sent a low-level delegation without decision-making authority. He reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness for "real diplomacy," and the talks also covered sanctions on Russia, defense and trade cooperation, the battlefield situation, and a potential prisoner-of-war exchange. No specific outcomes, such as agreements or policy shifts, were detailed in the available information. The meeting appeared to be a step toward rebuilding dialogue after prior tensions, with no reported conflicts during this encounter.

Russia has enough means to finish the war with the desired result - Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about the results of his so-called special military operation. In particular, he did not miss the attention of the "protection of Russian-speaking residents of Ukraine".

In a recently aired interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin, Vladimir Putin claimed that Russia had enough forces and resources in 2022 to “bring the situation to a logical conclusion.” He defined this goal as eliminating the root causes of the crisis, achieving long-term peace, and ensuring Russia’s security. However, his statements reveal a continued refusal to acknowledge Ukraine’s sovereignty and the resistance of its people.

Despite Putin’s narrative, the Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to defend the country with determination and skill. The Kremlin’s belief that Russian troops would be welcomed in Ukraine has proven entirely false. In reality, Ukraine must protect its citizens from Russian aggression—a fact reflected daily on the front lines.

Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, pointed out that the interview was recorded back in March, despite being broadcast only now. This delay suggests a calculated move by the Kremlin to shape public perception amid stalled peace talks and renewed military activity.

The purpose of the war of Russia remains the complete surrender of Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his inner circle are preparing the Russian public for a prolonged war, signaling that their ultimate goal remains the complete surrender of Ukraine. Analysts believe that Moscow is not engaging in negotiations in good faith but is instead using the talks in Istanbul to push unrealistic demands that serve as preconditions for a ceasefire—not steps toward genuine peace.

The Kremlin continues to insist on Ukraine's withdrawal from occupied territories as a non-negotiable demand, treating these claims not as part of a settlement process but as prerequisites for even temporary pauses in fighting. This approach reflects a broader strategy of delay and attrition, aimed at exhausting Ukraine and its allies while maintaining pressure through slow, grinding offensives.

Experts warn that unless Ukraine and the West succeed in shifting Putin’s belief that time and attrition will lead to Russian victory, Moscow will continue to avoid serious negotiations. The Kremlin appears unwilling to consider prisoner exchanges or compromise, focusing instead on enforcing a ceasefire along current front lines to cement territorial gains without making real concessions.

Russia plans overnight intercontinental missile launch to intimidate NATO and Ukraine

Russia is preparing for a demonstrative training and combat launch of an RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile between the night of May 18–19, according to a report by Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence.

The missile will be launched from a mobile ground-based system by the 433rd Regiment of the 42nd Division of Russia’s 31st Strategic Missile Forces Army. Ukrainian officials emphasize that this launch involves a training munition, not a live nuclear warhead.

Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence believes the primary purpose of the launch is psychological warfare, intended to intimidate Ukraine and apply pressure on NATO and EU countries. Officials describe it as a continuation of Russia’s nuclear blackmail strategy, aimed at disrupting unity among Ukraine’s Western allies and deterring further military support.

The RS-24 Yars is a nuclear-capable ICBM with a range of over 11,000 kilometers, capable of carrying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). While such exercises are not unprecedented, the timing and publicity of this planned launch are seen as escalatory in the context of stalled peace talks and increasing battlefield activity.