Russia-Ukraine battle: Checklist of key occasions, day 1,181

Right here is the place issues stand on Tuesday, Could 20:
Combating
- With peace talks on the horizon, Russia at present controls about one-fifth of Ukrainian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin is anticipated to ask for Ukrainian forces to retreat from 4 areas of Ukraine throughout peace talks.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dominated out withdrawing troops from elements of japanese and southern Ukraine at present underneath Kyiv’s management in an interview with The Kyiv Unbiased.
- Russia’s Ministry of Defence mentioned on Telegram it seized the village of Marine, in Ukraine’s northern Sumy area, and Novoolenivka village within the japanese Donetsk area. Ukraine didn’t instantly touch upon the claims.
Ceasefire talks
- United States President Donald Trump mentioned Moscow and Kyiv “will instantly begin negotiations in direction of a ceasefire and an finish to their battle” following a cellphone name with Putin that lasted for greater than two and a half hours on Monday night time.
- Following the decision, Putin advised reporters that Russia is “able to work with the Ukrainian facet on a memorandum on a attainable future peace accord, defining a lot of positions, similar to, for instance, the rules of settlement, [and] the timing of a attainable peace settlement”.
- Putin repeated his oft-spoken level that any ceasefire would wish to additionally handle the “root causes of the disaster”, a reference to Ukraine’s potential entry into NATO.
- Zelenskyy mentioned in a press release that Ukraine stays dedicated to peace talks, however Russia must additionally exhibit its readiness to have interaction in significant dialogue. He additionally mentioned the US is required, saying: “It’s essential for all of us that the USA doesn’t distance itself from the talks and the pursuit of peace, as a result of the one one who advantages from that’s Putin.”
- Moscow and Kyiv are additionally in talks a couple of main prisoner trade, following a cellphone name on Monday, in keeping with Zelenskyy.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz mentioned European Union leaders advised Trump they’re able to put extra strain and sanctions on Moscow. “Europe will improve the strain on Moscow by sanctions. That is what we agreed upon with @POTUS after his dialog with Putin,” Merz mentioned on X.
- Germany has joined Denmark in calling on China to exert its affect on Russia over the battle in Ukraine.
- Pope Leo XIV is fascinated by internet hosting talks between Russia and Ukraine, Trump mentioned, a suggestion that was welcomed by US and European leaders, together with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who mentioned Italy is “able to do its half to facilitate contacts and work for peace”. The Vatican didn’t verify any such provide by the pope.
Economic system
- Finland’s Ministry of Defence mentioned it can use about 90 million euros ($101.35m) in proceeds from frozen Russian belongings to purchase ammunition for Ukraine. About $300bn of Russian belongings have been frozen throughout the EU for the reason that Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- The EU is anticipated to decrease the present $60 per barrel worth cap on Russian oil so far as $50 per barrel as a part of its new sanctions bundle this week, the Reuters information company reported, citing EU officers.
- Poland seized 5 million metric tonnes of tyres for civilian Boeing plane sure for Russia in violation of worldwide sanctions.