Photo : Sergey Bobok, AFP
Photo : Sergey Bobok, AFP
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 18 May, Ukraine’s military reported that Russia launched a massive drone assault across multiple regions, including Kyiv and the Kherson region killing one and damage of railway station, homes, and vehicles. According to Ukraine's air force, Russia deployed 273 Shahed drones and other imitator drones, with 88 shot down and 128 disappearing without causing damage. Ukraine’s intelligence service also alleged that Moscow had planned to launch an intercontinental ballistic missile.
On 18 May, Zelenskyy held a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio ahead of the upcoming Trump-Putin call. The meeting followed the first direct Ukraine-Russia talks in over three years, held in Turkey. Zelenskyy said discussions covered the Istanbul talks—criticizing Russia’s low-level delegation, and sanctions, trade, defence cooperation, battlefield developments, and future prisoner exchanges.
On 18 May, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a meeting with Zelenskyy announced that more Australian tanks were in transit to Ukraine. Albanese reaffirmed Australia's firm support for Ukraine against Russia’s "illegal aggression" and reiterated calls for peace. In response, Zelenskyy urged Australia to expand its sanctions on Russia.
On 17 May, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of targeting and killing civilians in a drone strike in the Sumy region. The attack resulted in the death of nine and injury of seven. Zelenskyy criticised Russia for the attack. UK’s Foreign Minister David Lammy condemned the attack, expressing outrage that the attack took place after peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Turkey.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 17 May, the Kremlin confirmed preparations for a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin scheduled on 19 May. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that the conversation was being arranged, while Trump mentioned that the discussion will cover Russia’s war in Ukraine and trade. He also indicated plans to follow up with calls to Zelenskyy and NATO leaders, reaffirming his campaign pledge to quickly end the conflict in Ukraine.
On 17 May, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, acknowledged the US efforts in facilitating the negotiations and confirmed that he and Rubio agreed to maintain ongoing communication between the two countries.
On 17 May, the Kremlin stated that any new peace talks between Russia and Ukraine can only proceed after the completion of a mutually agreed prisoner-of-war exchange and the establishment of ceasefire conditions. Peskov emphasized the need to first fulfill the 1,000-for-1,000 prisoners of war swap agreed during previous talks in Turkey.
On 17 May, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed that its drones targeted a Ukrainian military equipment site in the Sumy region. This announcement follows Ukrainian reports of a deadly drone strike on a civilian minibus near Bilopillia, which killed nine people and injured four.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 18 May, Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul announced increased surveillance in the Baltic Sea region. This comes in response to suspected Russian sabotage of underwater infrastructure, warning about Russia’s "shadow fleet"—sanctions-evading ships believed to be involved in damaging cables and pipelines. In an interview with Welt am Sonntag, Wadephul emphasized the growing hybrid threats from Russia, including severed communication lines, unauthorized ship movements, and gas pipeline disruptions since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He called the shadow fleet a major security threat and confirmed that the EU would impose new sanctions directly targeting these vessels. The latest EU sanctions package, set for adoption on 20 May, aims to curb this activity, especially as roughly 84 per cent of Russia’s crude oil exports transit through the Baltic Sea.
On 17 May, Trump announced that he will speak with Putin by 19 May focusing on ending the Ukraine conflict and discussing trade. Describing the war as a "bloodbath" claiming over 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers weekly, Trump expressed hope for a productive day and a potential ceasefire. He also plans to follow the call with Zelenskyy and NATO leaders. Trump reiterated his view that the war should never have occurred and that peace progress depends on a direct meeting with Putin.
On 17 May, France’s President Emmanuel Macron expressed confidence that Trump would respond to Putin’s "cynicism" regarding peace efforts, especially following a recent drone attack on Ukraine. Speaking during a visit to Albania, Macron emphasized Trump’s earlier commitment to pursuing peace and urged him amid Russia’s refusal to honour a US-initiated ceasefire. Alongside other European leaders, including Germany’s Friedrich Merz, the UK’s Keir Starmer, and Poland’s Donald Tusk, Macron called on Trump to denounce Russia’s actions and reaffirm international pressure on Moscow, highlighting the united stance of a "coalition of the willing" in support of peace and security guarantees.