Washington has warned Moscow that sanctions will be imposed if the talks fail. Meanwhile, the Kremlin is preparing its own demands for a ceasefire. Ukraine is experiencing its largest drone attack since the beginning of the invasion but remains resilient, even without immediate U.S. support.
Russia launched the largest drone attack since the beginning of the war
On the night of May 18, Russia launched 273 drones across Ukraine, particularly targeting Kyiv, Dnipro, and the Donetsk region. This is the largest attack since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. The attack killed a 28-year-old woman and injured three others, including a four-year-old child. Ukrainian air defense destroyed 88 drones and jammed another 128.
Ukraine could survive for up to six months without US aid
Former CIA Director David Petraeus says, that Ukraine's Armed Forces will be able to hold out for four to six months if US military aid is cut off. At the same time, Petraeus is convinced that US support will not stop; rather, he believes that Washington is preparing new sanctions against Russia.
Petraeus also noted that Russia's sovereign wealth fund reserves could be depleted as early as next year, which would amplify the impact of Western sanctions.
Russia is preparing written demands for a ceasefire
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced the preparation of a document outlining the conditions for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Lavrov said that Moscow will send this document in the coming days.
Rubio also noted that Ukraine is working on its own proposal and that the United States hopes the parties' positions will be close enough to start constructive negotiations. Rubio added that he had conveyed a clear message from President Trump to Lavrov: the violence must stop.
The U.S. is warning of a new package of sanctions
If Russia does not take steps toward peace talks, the U.S. Senate is prepared to back a new sanctionsbill. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Washington would not wait indefinitely for results from the negotiation process.
The Sanctioning Russia Act bill already has the support of more than 70 senators and provides for new economic measures against Moscow, including a 500% tariff on imports from countries that purchase Russian energy. Rubio emphasized that diplomacy has limited time.
Putin: Russia's goal is to eliminate the causes of the war
Russian President Vladimir Putin said, that Russia's main goal is to eliminate the causes that led to the war in Ukraine and ensure the security of the Russian state. This statement underscores the Kremlin's strategic objectives and its perception of the conflict as a defense of its national interests.
Author: Danylo Pievchev