Articles in this Cluster
18-05-2025
Donald Trump said he will hold a phone call with Vladimir Putin to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine, followed by calls with Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO leaders. The Kremlin confirmed preparations for the call. The move comes after inconclusive Ukraine-Russia talks in Istanbul, which yielded only a prisoner swap. Ukraine seeks a full, unconditional ceasefire, while Kyiv says Moscow is demanding Ukrainian troop withdrawals from large areas. European leaders have urged a 30-day ceasefire. A recent Russian drone strike on a bus in Sumy killed nine, prompting Zelensky to call for tougher sanctions. Trump has suggested progress requires face-to-face talks with Putin.
Entities: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine, Russia • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
18-05-2025
Russian drone strikes in Ukraine killed nine civilians and injured seven in Sumy region as Moscow and Kyiv’s first direct talks in years, held in Istanbul, failed to produce a ceasefire and Vladimir Putin did not attend. President Zelenskyy condemned the attack as deliberate and lamented the missed chance for a ceasefire. The Vatican renewed its offer to host and facilitate talks, with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin calling the failure “tragic.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Vatican officials to discuss how the Holy See could assist under newly elected Pope Leo XIV, who has urged an “authentic, just and lasting peace.” Former President Trump said he plans to speak with Putin and later with Zelenskyy and NATO leaders about stopping the “bloodbath” and trade.
Entities: Russia, Ukraine, Sumy region, Vatican, Cardinal Pietro Parolin • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
18-05-2025
President Trump, concluding a Middle East trip, said he plans to meet Vladimir Putin “as soon as we can” to push progress on ending the Ukraine war, arguing little will change until they meet directly. Putin skipped Istanbul talks, sending a lower-level delegation, which drew criticism from Ukraine and Europe. Russian negotiators said a large prisoner swap is being discussed and that both sides will present cease-fire visions. Zelenskyy joined the talks and supports a U.S.-backed 30-day halt, but Russia hasn’t agreed and continues strikes. The Kremlin said a Trump-Putin meeting is necessary but must be well prepared. Trump emphasized urgency, citing heavy weekly casualties.
Entities: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine, Russia • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
18-05-2025
Republican leaders are pushing a major spending and tax-cut package tied to Donald Trump’s priorities, seeking support from conservative holdouts ahead of a rare Sunday House Budget Committee meeting. Trump wished Joe Biden a speedy recovery after Biden was diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer, prompting bipartisan well-wishes. On Ukraine, Trump plans to speak with Vladimir Putin after Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome; Rubio urged patience but warned against endless talks and said new Russia sanctions may proceed. Controversy continues over Qatar’s proposed gift of a $400 million Boeing 747-8 for use as Air Force One, drawing bipartisan ethics concerns, with Sen. Rand Paul citing conflict-of-interest optics and Mike Pence criticizing Trump’s remarks abroad, while some Democrats offered limited praise for aspects of Trump’s Middle East trip.
Entities: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, JD Vance • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
18-05-2025
Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul failed to produce a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged stronger international pressure and tougher sanctions if Russia continues rejecting an unconditional ceasefire. He held a joint call with President Donald Trump and leaders of France, Germany, the U.K., and Poland to coordinate a united response. French President Emmanuel Macron said Russia’s refusal shows it is not seeking peace. Trump, who skipped the talks, said he wants to meet Vladimir Putin soon, claiming such a meeting is necessary for progress, though no timeline was given. The talks were further undermined by Russia sending a low-level delegation and Putin’s absence, which Zelenskyy called a sign of unseriousness.
Entities: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, France, Germany • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
18-05-2025
US President Donald Trump said he will speak separately with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday, aiming to secure a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war. His announcement followed a Russian drone strike on a civilian evacuation bus in Bilopillia, northeastern Ukraine, that killed nine people, including a family of three, and injured seven. Ukraine condemned the attack as deliberate; UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy called for an immediate ceasefire. Recent Istanbul talks between Ukraine and Russia yielded no truce but did produce an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners. Ukrainian officials said Russia’s ceasefire demands include Ukraine’s withdrawal from four occupied regions, recognition of those regions and Crimea as Russian, and Ukrainian neutrality—terms Kyiv deems unacceptable. The EU is preparing new sanctions, and France’s Emmanuel Macron urged a strong US response.
Entities: Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine, Russia • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
18-05-2025
George Simion, a 38-year-old populist and proud supporter of Donald Trump, has reached the run-off to become Romania’s president, positioning himself as a radical alternative to centrist Bucharest mayor Nicușor Dan. Admiring Trump’s style and pledging to defend national interests and free speech, Simion criticizes “deep state” interference in politics and the annulled presidential election that disqualified nationalist frontrunner Călin Georgescu—whom he now says he might appoint prime minister if he wins. On foreign policy, Simion says he would follow Trump’s approach to Ukraine, rejects closer ties with Russia due to historical grievances, and supports US-Russia peace talks with security guarantees for Eastern Europe. He backs Romania’s place in the EU and NATO but opposes a more federal EU, expressing regret over Brexit while calling for closer UK-Romania cooperation. Confident of victory, he predicts a landslide result.
Entities: George Simion, Donald Trump, Nicușor Dan, Călin Georgescu, Romania • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
18-05-2025
Sky News analysis argues Vladimir Putin undermined Donald Trump’s push for Ukraine peace talks by dodging a US-backed 30-day ceasefire and sending officials, not himself, to negotiations Trump urged. In the talks, Russia’s delegation issued hardline demands—including Ukrainian withdrawal from occupied regions—and delivered menacing remarks suggesting an indefinite war. Trump avoided criticizing Putin publicly, instead downplaying the talks and implying only a direct meeting with Putin would matter. The piece contends Putin appears contemptuous of Western efforts, Trump is reluctant to pressure him, and Europe must decide whether to follow through on promised consequences after Russia rejected the ceasefire.
Entities: Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, Ukraine, Russia, ceasefire • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: analyze
18-05-2025
Amid a perceived U.S. pullback under President Trump—reduced support for Ukraine, pressure on Europe to shoulder defense, and higher trade tariffs—the U.K. and E.U. are moving toward closer cooperation five years after Brexit. A London summit is set to unveil a new defense and security pact, with potential steps on easing food trade rules and deepening energy ties. Disputes remain over Britain’s role in E.U. defense procurement, youth mobility visas, university fees, and post-2026 fishing rights. While the rapprochement carries symbolic weight and addresses shared security concerns, experts say the economic impact may be limited, and any alignment with E.U. standards poses political risks for Prime Minister Keir Starmer at home.
Entities: United Kingdom, European Union, Donald Trump, Keir Starmer, Ukraine • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: neutral • Intent: inform
18-05-2025
Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks in Istanbul in years, agreeing to a major prisoner swap but failing to reach a cease-fire or arrange a leaders’ meeting. Russia demanded Ukraine withdraw from four annexed regions and accept limits on its military and NATO ambitions, plus a halt to Western arms, signaling Moscow is not ready to stop fighting without major concessions. Ukraine seeks an immediate, unconditional cease-fire and rejects territorial or military limitations, aiming to freeze lines and argue annexations violate international law. The talks unfolded amid intensified Russian attacks and as President Trump planned calls with Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelensky, and NATO leaders, with Washington saying it is open to mechanisms for a lasting peace. Stakes remain high as Russia holds battlefield momentum and pushes for Ukrainian capitulation, while Europe pledges continued support to deter future Russian aggression.
Entities: Russia, Ukraine, Istanbul, NATO, Vladimir Putin • Tone: analytical • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
18-05-2025
Russia launched one of its largest drone attacks of the war on Ukraine, deploying about 273 drones and decoys, mainly targeting Kyiv, killing one woman and injuring several people. The barrage came a day before President Trump’s planned call with Vladimir Putin as he pushes a cease-fire that Ukraine has accepted unconditionally but Russia conditions. Trump’s approach—removing NATO membership for Ukraine from consideration, signaling flexibility on Crimea, pausing aid, and not delivering new U.S. military packages—has drawn sharp criticism, including a public rebuke from former U.S. ambassador Bridget Brink, who resigned. Direct Russia-Ukraine talks remain stalled amid Moscow’s maximalist demands, while Russian forces intensify assaults in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine intercepted 88 drones, with many others disappearing from radar, as Russia escalates drone capabilities to strain Ukraine’s air defenses. Zelensky met Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome after attending Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass, reiterating readiness for a cease-fire; the pope offered the Vatican as a venue for talks.
Entities: Russia, Ukraine, Kyiv, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin • Tone: urgent • Sentiment: negative • Intent: inform
