Overview

• The first direct Russia-Ukraine talks in three years concluded in Istanbul with a 1,000-prisoner exchange but no ceasefire agreement.
• President Trump plans back-to-back phone calls with Putin and Zelenskyy on May 19 to push for progress toward ending the conflict.
• Secretary of State Rubio discussed potential next steps with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and suggested the Vatican as a neutral venue for future talks.
• Vice President Vance and Rubio met with President Zelenskyy in Rome during Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass, reaffirming U.S. support for Ukraine.
• European leaders, led by German Chancellor Merz, are coordinating with the U.S. to align strategies ahead of Trump’s diplomatic outreach.