Here is the current situation as of Tuesday, May 20:
Conflict
- As peace negotiations are imminent, Russia is in control of approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin is anticipated to demand that Ukrainian forces withdraw from four Ukrainian territories during peace discussions.
- In an interview with The Kyiv Independent, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused to withdraw troops from eastern and southern regions of Ukraine under Kyiv’s control.
- Russia’s Ministry of Defence stated via Telegram that they captured the village of Marine, in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, and Novoolenivka village in the eastern Donetsk region. Ukraine has not immediately responded to these assertions.
Ceasefire Negotiations
- US President Donald Trump announced that Moscow and Kyiv “will immediately commence negotiations towards a ceasefire and the conclusion of their conflict” after a more than two and a half hour phone call with Putin on Monday night.
- Post-call, Putin informed journalists that Russia is “eager to collaborate with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum regarding a possible future peace agreement that would outline several key positions, such as the principles of resolution and the timeline for a potential peace agreement”.
- Putin reiterated his common stance that any ceasefire must also address the “root reasons of the crisis”, a reference to Ukraine’s potential NATO membership.
- Zelenskyy declared in a statement that Ukraine remains dedicated to peace dialogue, but Russia must also exhibit a willingness to engage in genuine conversation. He further stated, “It is vital for all of us that the United States doesn’t distance itself from the discussions and the quest for peace because the only one who benefits from that is Putin.”
- Moscow and Kyiv are also in discussions regarding a significant prisoner exchange, following a phone call on Monday, according to Zelenskyy.
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced that European Union leaders informed Trump that they are willing to intensify sanctions on Moscow. “Europe will increase the pressure on Moscow through sanctions. This is what we agreed upon with @POTUS after his conversation with Putin,” Merz said on X.
- Germany, alongside Denmark, has requested China to use its influence on Russia in regards to the Ukraine conflict.
- Pope Leo XIV expressed interest in hosting talks between Russia and Ukraine, Trump said, a proposal that was endorsed by US and European leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who stated that Italy is “prepared to do its part to facilitate contact and strive for peace”. The Vatican has not confirmed any such offer from the pope.
Economic Impacts
- Finland’s Ministry of Defence declared that it would utilize around 90 million euros ($101.35m) from frozen Russian assets to procure ammunition for Ukraine. Approximately $300bn of Russian assets have been frozen across the EU since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- The EU is expected to decrease the current $60 per barrel price cap on Russian oil to as low as $50 per barrel as part of its upcoming sanctions package, reports Reuters, citing EU officials.
- Poland has confiscated 5 million metric tonnes of tyres for civilian Boeing aircraft destined for Russia, violating international sanctions.
