24.05.2025 21:42
A move has come from Russia that will undermine the increasing hopes for peace at the Istanbul summit. The British media reported that Russia has gathered 50,000 soldiers along the Kharkiv border. A Ukrainian military official stated that Russia is preparing for an attack.
As hopes to end the war between Russia and Ukraine rise at the peace summit in Istanbul, it remains a question whether the two sides will declare a ceasefire. The British media reported on Russian President Vladimir Putin's new move.
"RUSSIA HAS GATHERED 50,000 SOLDIERS AT THE UKRAINIAN BORDER"
The UK-based Sky News reported that Russia has gathered 50,000 soldiers along the Kharkiv border. A Ukrainian military official stated that Russian soldiers have concentrated along the border line and mentioned that some attacks have also occurred. The Ukrainian official noted that these attacks were unsuccessful and indicated that Russia is preparing for an assault.
RUSSIA HAS CAPTURED 6 LOCATIONS IN SUMY, KHARKIV, AND DONETSK
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that in the past week, they have captured 6 settlements in Ukraine's Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions. In a statement, the ministry provided information about the activities of the Russian army in the Russia-Ukraine War between May 17-23.
The statement mentioned that high-precision weapons and drone attacks were carried out against Ukraine's military industrial elements during the week, targeting businesses operating in the military industrial sector, military airfield infrastructure, weapons and ammunition depots, drone production and storage sites, as well as points where Ukrainian soldiers and foreign mercenaries were temporarily stationed.
In the statement noting that 6 settlements have been captured by the Russian army in Ukraine in the past week, it was stated, "Maryino in the Sumy region, Radkovka in the Kharkiv region, and Aleksandropol, Novoolenovka, Novaya Poltavka, and Bogatır settlements in the Donetsk People's Republic have been liberated."
PEACE SUMMIT IN ISTANBUL AFTER PUTIN'S CALL
The historical summit was initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 11. Putin proposed that the direct negotiations, which were cut off 3 years ago, be resumed unconditionally in Istanbul on May 15 and requested President Erdoğan to host the meeting.
ZELENSKY ARRIVED, PUTIN SENT A DELEGATION
Following Putin's call, Trump also urged Zelensky to attend the meeting. The Ukrainian administration responded positively to the call. While Zelensky complied with the call and came to Istanbul, Putin did not come to Turkey for the meeting but sent a delegation instead. Zelensky left Turkey after Putin's absence.
TRUMP: IF I DON'T GO, PUTIN WON'T GO
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that following Putin's decision not to come to Istanbul, he could go to Istanbul on Friday if necessary, saying, "I said if I don't go, Putin won't come, and I was right."
DELEGATIONS MET
Meetings took place between the delegations. In the trilateral meetings held under Turkey's auspices, Turkey-U.S.-Ukraine and Turkey-Russia-Ukraine, agreements were reached on prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine.
EXCHANGE DECISION MADE
Speaking after the peace talks in Istanbul, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated, "We have agreed on the exchange of 1,000 prisoners of war with Russia." The Russian delegation expressed, "We are satisfied with the talks. Russia and Ukraine will present their detailed views on a possible ceasefire, and then negotiations will continue."