Brief by Shorts91 NewsDesk / 11:16am on 16 May 2025,Friday International
On May 16, 2025, Russian and Ukrainian delegations convened in Istanbul for their first direct peace talks since 2022, aiming to end the ongoing conflict. Ukraine, represented by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, prioritized securing an "unconditional ceasefire." Russia's delegation, led by aide Vladimir Medinsky, viewed the talks as a continuation of previous negotiations. The absence of President Putin and attempts to exclude U.S. and Turkish officials raised concerns about Russia's commitment. Ukrainian diplomats accused Russia of stalling. Despite diplomatic efforts, hostilities persisted, with Ukraine reporting explosions in Dnipro and the downing of 73 out of 112 Russian drones. An F-16 jet was lost due to a non-combat incident. (PC: The Guardian)
