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By Fleur Elizabeth Philip
WAR ON THE GROUND
On 22 May, Ukrinform reported that Ukraine launched its large-scale drones across Russia, mostly targeting Moscow. This resulted in the death of one. Russia’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that Russian air defence had countered 37 drones at Moscow and Russia’s defence ministry claimed taking down more than 370 Ukraine’s drones across Pokrovsk and the Donetsk regions. Following the drone attacks, several people have been injured in the western Bryansk region, and Kursk. All flights in Domodedovo, Zhukovsky and Sheremetyevo airports were temporarily suspended, and there were disruptions in air travel that extended to Siberia.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 21 May, TASS reported that Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the Kremlin is preparing a list of conditions for the ceasefire. According to him, there are certain conditions that Russia wants to impose, but they cannot be declared as of yet. The agreement on the conditions has been reached in Istanbul.
On 21 May, RT reported that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin visit to the Kursk since the war. During the trip, Putin visited two nuclear power plants in Kurchatove, and held meetings with the Governor Aleksandr Khinshtien and the heads of the local municipalities, and volunteers who were affected by the incursion launched by Kyiv in August 2024. Putin said that the situation in Kursk remains “difficult”, despite complete liberation, Furthermore, he has ordered an increase in mine clearance specialists in Kursk.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 22 May, RTE reported on Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to Lithuania to mark the official formation of Germany’s first heavy combat unit, the 45th tank brigade, otherwise known as the “Lithuania Brigade. The brigade contains 4,800 troops and 200 Bundeswehr employees, and the full operations are to be completed by 2027. The last time German troops moved overseas was during WWII. Merz warns of Russian threats to Europe, and in this visit, aims to deter any aggression made by Russia towards Lithuania. He added that if Russia approaches the former Soviet countries, it will be a huge threat to the rest of Europe. The decision to build a 5000-strong armoured brigade was made in response to the full-scale invasion made by Russia in 2022. The establishment of the permanent overseas brigade was approved by the Bundeswehr. Germany’s deployment aims at protecting the Baltic nations, which include Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. According to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Chancellor Merz’s visit shows Germany’s commitment to maintain and strengthen the defence of NATO’s eastern flank. Germany’s Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, accompanied Merz on the visit, said that the deployment to Lithuania sends a strong message of solidarity and readiness.
On 22 May, the European Parliament announced 50 per cent of tariffs imposed upon the agricultural products and fertilisers exported from Russia and Belarus. These tariffs aim to reduce the EU’s dependence on the two countries. Products hit by the tariffs include Sugar, vinegar, flour and animal feed. A 6.5 per cent tariffs are imposed on the fertilisers. The EU have also imposed tariff duties of EUR 40 and EUR 45 per ton between 2the 025-26, and it is to increase by EUR 430 per ton by 2028. The proposal will reduce the imports of goods, and this is to further diversify the EU’s fertiliser production.
On 22 May, The New York Times reported that the G7 Finance Ministers show their support to Ukraine, and warned that they would impose further sanctions on Russia if there was no progress in the peace talks. Top economists from the US and the othe six nations blame Russia for the war against Ukraine, and despite some resistance from the US, the G7 countries are to send aid to Ukraine.
On 21 May, the BBC reported that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni supports US President Donald Trump’s suggestion of having the Vatican mediate the talks between Russia and Ukraine. Meloni said that Italy is ready to assist and work towards hosting the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, and looks at this plan positively, as the Pope is willing to host talks in the Vatican. There is no confirmation or further agreements, but Pope Leo XIV said he was ready to hold the talks and “bring enemies” together. In the talks between Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Giorgia Meloni, Zelenskyy said that this plan was good, but he prefers to have them in Turkiye or Switzerland. The Kremlin also prefers to have the talks in Turkiye, following the “Istanbul Plus,” where both parties will have follow-up talks, which started in Turkiye. In response to the suggestion made by Trump, the Holy See views this move as a ray of hope rather than a concrete plan. According to the Kremlin, the term “Istanbul Plus” refers to the domination that Russia has over Ukraine, including the reduction of military in Ukraine, and the annexation of Crimea and four regions in Ukraine.
On 21 May, Arab News reported that the top finance leaders from the G7 group have gathered in Canada for a dialogue, where they will discuss the economic turmoil and the war in Ukraine. For two days, the leaders are to discuss the global economic conditions, look for common ground, and seek a favourable position on Ukraine. Canada’s Finance Minister Francois Philippe Champagne told reporters that Ukraine’s presence in the G7 sends a message that they are against Russia’s invasion. They also discussed the reconstruction of infrastructure with Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko.
On 21 May, Devdiscourse reported that a ship from the Russian Shadow Fleet was located in the Baltic Sea, and has raised alarms over the suspicious activities happening near the undersea cables belonging to the Polish grid. Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz and Prime Minister Donald Tusk highlighted their movements and activities. Tusk via social media said that the Russian vessel displayed suspicious activities at the power link between Poland and Sweden.
On 21 May, Deutsche Welle reported that Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in Berlin that there is no progress on the peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, and highlighted the diplomatic efforts to end the war. He also mentioned that the mediation of the Pope is the last person who could end the feud. Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius told Deutschelandfunk, following the phone call between the US and Russia, Trump has misjudged “his influence” on Putin. He added that there has been no progress in the talks, and this will just allow Putin to attack Ukraine. With no progress made in the phone call, the EU has imposed its sanctions against Russia. Pistorius further urged to cut off all financial lines linked to Russia.
On 21 May, The Guardian reported that Finland’s troops are preparing for what is to come, as Russian troops move towards the border shared by Finland and Russia. Head of Strategy of the Finnish Defence Forces, Maj Gen Sami Nurmi, said that the Russians are operating very closely and, as per the NATO alliance, they “have to prepare for the worst.” The Finnish border guard announced that they have patrolled the border, which was closed for more than a year, and have been watching the cameras and detecting any movement. The New York Times has published satellite images, showcasing the expansion of military at the Finnish border, which include rows of tents, military vehicles, fighter jets shelters, and the construction of a helicopter base. Nurmi added that the constructions have been happening in phases and are bringing in new equipment. Donald Trump responded to Russia’s movement along the Finnish border, and commented by saying that Finland and Norway are safe, and he is not worried at all.
On 21 May, The Guardian reported that the UK intelligence services have claimed that Russians have attempted to hack into the border security cameras, and spy on the Ukraine activities, and confiscate all the western aid that enters Ukraine. Russian military intelligence is accused of using “host methods” that target the delivery of foreign assistance by hacking into the cameras. GRU Unit 26165 is also accused of sending emails containing pornography, fake information, to accessing passwords to get into the systems.
References
“Merz warns of Russia threat during Lithuania visit,” RTE, 22 May 2025
“Russia appoints Mariupol siege commander as land forces chief,” Alarabiya News, 22 May 2025
“1 Killed and Flights Disrupted in Another Major Wave of Ukrainian Drone Attacks Across Russia,” The Moscow Times, 22 May 2025
“Parliament approves new tariffs on Russian and Belarusian agricultural goods,” European Parliament, 22 May 2025
“G7 Finance Ministers Show Unity in Support of Ukraine Against Russia,” The New York Times, 22 May 2025
“Former Ukrainian commander says Ukraine cannot restore post-Soviet borders, media report says,” Reuters, 23 May 2025
Sarah Rainsford, “Italy's Meloni ready to help if Vatican agrees to Trump's war mediation plan,” BBC, 21 May 2025
“Russian air defenses repel attack by three drones heading towards Moscow — mayor,” TASS, 21 May 2025
“Russia to prepare separate list of conditions for ceasefire — Kremlin spokesman,” TASS, 21 May 2025
“Putin visits Kursk Region for first time since full liberation from Ukrainian forces – Kremlin,” RT, 21 May 2025
“G7 finance chiefs gather with Trump tariffs, Ukraine war in focus,” Arab News, 21 May 2025
Paul Kirby, “Ukrainian ex-top official shot dead outside Madrid school,” BBC, 21 May 2025
“Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Stirs Tensions in the Baltic,” Devdiscourse, 21 May 2025
Dmytro Hubenko, “Merz sees no signs that war in Ukraine will end soon,” Deutsche Welle, 21 May 2025
Miranda Bryant, “Finland ‘preparing for the worst’ as Russia expands military presence near border,” The Guardian, 21 May 2025
Daniel Boffey, “Russia accused of trying to hack border security cameras to disrupt Ukraine aid,” The Guardian, 21 May 2025
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