On May 26, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin following Russia's most extensive aerial assault on Ukraine since the conflict began. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 355 drones and nine cruise missiles overnight, resulting in at least 12 fatalities, including children, and numerous injuries across multiple regions, including Kyiv and Zhytomyr. 

President Trump expressed strong disapproval of the attacks and indicated that he is considering imposing additional sanctions on Russia. He also criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting that his rhetoric may be exacerbating tensions. I

In response to Trump's remarks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the emotional strain of the situation and emphasized that Russia's strikes were targeted retaliations. 

The recent escalation has prompted calls from European leaders for increased sanctions against Russia. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasized the need for additional Western sanctions, stating that President Putin shows no interest in peace. 

The conflict continues to intensify, with heavy drone usage and fierce ground battles. Russia maintains its stance of conducting a "special military operation" in response to NATO threats, while Ukraine views the conflict as an unprovoked act of aggression. 

President Trump's administration has previously paused military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, aiming to pressure Kyiv into peace negotiations. However, these efforts have yet to yield a resolution, and the situation remains volatile.

Credits: Compiled using verified reports from Reuters, CNN, and official public statements.

On May 24, 2025, Kyiv experienced a drone attack attributed to Russian forces, resulting in significant damage to civilian infrastructure. According to local authorities, fragments from downed drones caused a fire in a residential building, injuring at least four people. The Ukrainian military reported intercepting most of the drones, which were launched from both the eastern and southern directions.

The overnight strike marked another escalation in the ongoing conflict, as the capital city endured multiple waves of air attacks. Emergency services responded quickly to the affected areas, managing to extinguish the blaze and assist the injured.

The incident occurred on the same day as a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia, during which both countries returned dozens of detainees. These exchanges are part of intermittent negotiations amid continued hostilities.

The broader conflict, which began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has led to thousands of casualties and the displacement of millions. International calls for a ceasefire and peace talks continue as the situation remains volatile.

— Compiled from verified reports including Reuters and CNN.

Ukrainian officials have reported that a Russian drone strike targeted a civilian bus in the northeastern Sumy region, resulting in the deaths of nine people. The incident occurred in the city of Velyka Pysarivka, near the Russian border, and was confirmed by regional and national authorities.

The attack came just hours after Ukraine and Russia participated in their first direct talks in over three years, held in Saudi Arabia. Though the discussions were seen as a possible step toward easing hostilities, the continued military activity underscores the fragile nature of any potential diplomatic progress.

Ukrainian emergency services responded to the scene, and investigations into the strike are ongoing. The Ukrainian government has condemned the incident, labeling it a deliberate assault on civilians. No immediate comment was reported from Russian officials regarding the strike.

The Sumy region has experienced frequent attacks since the start of the full-scale war in 2022, due to its proximity to the Russian border. The latest strike adds to a growing list of casualties from drone and missile attacks on non-military infrastructure across Ukraine.

Tensions remain high, and while diplomatic channels have recently opened, the situation on the ground continues to be marked by violence and uncertainty.

Sources: CNN, Al Jazeera

Ukraine and Russia have participated in direct peace negotiations for the first time in more than three years, meeting in Saudi Arabia in an effort to explore potential pathways toward ending the war that began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The meeting, hosted in Riyadh, was facilitated by Saudi officials and included delegates from several other nations. It marks a significant diplomatic development, as previous communication between Kyiv and Moscow had largely been indirect or mediated through third parties since talks broke down in the early months of the conflict.

According to official sources, the discussions were preliminary in nature and did not result in any formal agreements or immediate breakthroughs. However, the mere fact that both sides agreed to engage face-to-face has been interpreted by analysts as a possible softening in their diplomatic stance, or at the very least, a recognition of the need to reengage on the possibility of a negotiated settlement.

The talks come at a time of escalating military pressure. Russian forces have recently made advances in eastern Ukraine, particularly around the Donetsk region, taking advantage of Ukrainian ammunition shortages and delays in international military aid. Ukraine, for its part, continues to receive significant support from Western allies, including a newly approved U.S. aid package that includes military hardware and financial assistance. European nations have also pledged continued backing for Kyiv, though political divisions and fatigue from the prolonged war are becoming more apparent in some capitals.

Officials have emphasized that core issues remain unresolved. Ukraine has consistently maintained that any peace deal must include the full restoration of its territorial integrity, including Crimea and all areas occupied by Russian forces since 2014. Russia, meanwhile, has indicated that it considers certain territories to be part of its sovereign domain following widely unrecognized referendums and annexation claims.

Observers caution against overinterpreting the significance of this initial meeting. While the talks signal a diplomatic opening, both governments continue to express skepticism about the other’s intentions. Furthermore, active combat operations are ongoing, and there is no sign of a ceasefire or de-escalation on the ground.

Saudi Arabia's involvement reflects its increasing role as a mediator in global conflicts. The kingdom has hosted multiple rounds of international dialogue on Ukraine over the past year, including a major summit in Jeddah in 2023 that excluded Russia but sought to build consensus among non-Western nations on principles for peace.

For now, the Riyadh talks appear to be a tentative first step in what could become a longer-term diplomatic process. No future meetings have been publicly confirmed, and both sides remain entrenched in their respective positions. However, the resumption of direct contact—no matter how limited—marks a notable development in an otherwise stagnant political landscape surrounding the war.

Sources: CNN, BBC News, Reuters

The latest round of peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia commenced in Istanbul on May 15, 2025, marking the first direct talks since March 2022. However, the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump has raised doubts about the potential effectiveness of the discussions.

President Putin declined to attend the talks, instead dispatching a delegation led by Vladimir Medinsky, a former culture minister who previously led unsuccessful negotiations in 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized this move, describing the Russian delegation as lacking the authority necessary for meaningful negotiations. Consequently, Zelenskyy chose not to attend in person, appointing his defense minister to lead Ukraine's delegation. 

The United States was represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. President Trump, currently on a Middle East tour, indicated that substantial progress in the peace process would require direct engagement between himself and President Putin.

The talks aim to address longstanding issues, including territorial disputes and Ukraine's aspirations for NATO membership. Russia has reiterated demands for Ukraine to cede certain territories and abandon its bid to join NATO—conditions that Ukraine firmly rejects.

International reactions to the talks have been mixed. Some NATO members have expressed skepticism about Russia's commitment to a genuine peace process, interpreting the absence of high-level Russian officials as a lack of seriousness. 

Despite the challenges, the continuation of dialogue in Istanbul represents a tentative step toward resolving the conflict, which has persisted since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The effectiveness of these talks remains uncertain, particularly in the absence of key leaders.

Sources: Reuters, The Guardian, BBC