As Putin Rebuffs Western Ceasefire Demands and Calls for Renewed Istanbul Negotiations, Zelensky Agrees to Meet While Russian Drones Strike Ukrainian Territory
Summary of the Day – May 11, 2025
The diplomatic chessboard shifted dramatically as President Vladimir Putin rejected the Western-backed proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, instead inviting Ukraine to resume bilateral negotiations in Istanbul on May 15. President Volodymyr Zelensky promptly accepted the invitation while maintaining that a “complete and unconditional ceasefire” should precede meaningful talks. The diplomatic maneuvers revealed deep divisions, with European leaders insisting that “talks cannot begin until the weapons fall silent,” while U.S. President Donald Trump urged immediate negotiations without preconditions. Throughout these developments, Russian forces launched a massive overnight drone attack involving 108 Shahed UAVs against multiple Ukrainian regions, while both sides reported tactical advances on the battlefield. In a parallel escalation, Hungary and Ukraine expelled each other’s diplomats amid accusations of espionage operations in Zakarpattia Oblast.
Athletes participate in the ‘Unbroken Games’ competition for military personnel and veterans of the war in Lviv, Ukraine. The Unbroken Games are competitions that unite combatants who were injured or wounded in the line of duty in various sports. (Michael Sorrow/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Putin’s Calculated Invitation: Return to Istanbul Protocols
Russian President Vladimir Putin called for Russia and Ukraine to resume bilateral negotiations based on the early 2022 Istanbul protocols. Speaking to media organizations on the night of May 10 to 11, Putin proposed that Russia and Ukraine “resume” the direct negotiations that he claimed “[Ukraine] interrupted” in 2022, with talks to begin in Istanbul on May 15.
Russian Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov announced that Russia will soon reveal its delegation to the resumed negotiations and stressed that such talks should account for “developments of the 2022 talks.” The Wall Street Journal and New York Times reported earlier this year that they had obtained several versions of these draft protocols from April 2022.
The documents revealed that Russia demanded Ukraine forego NATO membership aspirations, amend its constitution to ensure neutrality, ban foreign military personnel or advanced weapons on Ukrainian soil, and drastically reduce its military forces to just 85,000 soldiers, 342 tanks, and 519 artillery systems. Putin also emphasized that the purpose of renewed bilateral Russian-Ukrainian negotiations would be to “eliminate the root causes” of the war in Ukraine.
Zelensky’s Swift Response: “I Will Wait for Putin in Turkey”
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on May 11 that he is ready to meet with Putin in Istanbul, regardless of Moscow’s stance on the proposed ceasefire. “There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will wait for Putin on Thursday in Turkey,” Zelensky declared.
An undisclosed Ukrainian official told Axios that Zelensky will be in Turkey on May 15 even if Moscow does not agree to the ceasefire proposal set to begin on May 12. The Ukrainian president maintained that negotiations should be preceded by a halt to hostilities, stating that “a complete and unconditional ceasefire—long-term, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy—could bring peace much closer.”
“We expect a ceasefire from tomorrow—this proposal is on the table,” Zelensky added, while noting, “We have repeatedly heard from partners that they are ready to strengthen sanctions against Russia if Putin refuses a ceasefire.”
Trump’s Direct Appeal: “Have the Meeting, Now!”
U.S. President Donald Trump on May 11 directly urged Ukraine to accept Putin’s invitation for talks, diverging from European leaders who insist that a ceasefire must precede negotiations. “Putin… doesn’t want to have a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the bloodbath. Ukraine should agree to this, immediately,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.
Trump’s statement stands in contrast to the position taken by Ukraine’s European allies, who have unanimously rejected Moscow’s proposal for talks without a preceding ceasefire. “At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly!” Trump argued.
This stance created visible tension within the American administration, as U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg contradicted the president’s message: “As President Trump has repeatedly said, stop the killing!! An unconditional 30-day ceasefire first and, during it, move into comprehensive peace discussions. Not the other way around.”
European Unity on Display: Ceasefire Must Precede Talks
European leaders on May 11 firmly rejected Putin’s proposal to resume peace talks without first agreeing to a comprehensive ceasefire. Following their meeting in Kyiv on May 10, the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom maintained their unified position that a 30-day unconditional ceasefire beginning May 12 must be the first step.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated on social media: “In response to our appeal, the Russians have proposed peace talks starting May 15. The world, however, is waiting for a univocal decision on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Ukraine is ready. No more victims!”
(From L) Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, First Lady Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz honor the memory of fallen Ukrainian and foreign soldiers at the Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti) in Kyiv, ahead of a gathering of European leaders in the Ukrainian capital. (Photo: President’s Office)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reinforced this stance: “Yesterday in Kyiv, we and our partners called for a 30-day ceasefire to create space for negotiations. Ukraine agreed with no ifs or buts. We expect Moscow to now agree to a ceasefire. This is essential before beginning a genuine dialogue. Talks cannot begin until the weapons fall silent.”
French President Emmanuel Macron added: “We made a clear proposal: an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday. President Zelensky committed without setting any condition. We now expect an equally clear response from Russia. There can be no negotiations while weapons are speaking.”
Erdogan’s Mediation Effort: Turkey Ready to Host
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 11 spoke with both Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron, positioning Turkey as a mediator between the warring parties and offering Istanbul as a venue for talks.
During his call with Putin, Erdogan welcomed the Russian leader’s proposal to resume negotiations in Istanbul. The Turkish Presidency reported that Erdogan told Putin “Turkey is ready to host negotiations aimed at achieving a lasting solution,” and stressed that “a window of opportunity has opened for reaching peace, and that achieving a comprehensive ceasefire would create the necessary environment for peace talks.”
In his separate conversation with Macron, Erdogan declared that “a historic turning point has been reached in efforts to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, that this opportunity must be seized, and that Turkey is ready to provide all kinds of support, including hosting negotiations, to achieve a ceasefire and lasting peace.” Paris confirmed the phone call between the two leaders took place.
Kremlin’s Firm Stance: “Root Causes” Before Ceasefire
On May 11, the Kremlin firmly rejected the proposal for a 30-day ceasefire as a precondition for peace talks. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova emphasized that Putin “clearly said: first negotiate about the root causes, and then we can talk about a ceasefire.”
In an interview with ABC News released the same day, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of deploying European peacekeepers in Ukraine, stating, “We cannot allow NATO’s military infrastructure to get that close to our borders.” While claiming that Putin is open to peace negotiations “without any preconditions,” Peskov insisted that Ukraine must stop receiving Western weapons shipments before any ceasefire could be implemented.
“If we speak about ceasefire, what are you going to do with shipments of weapons coming every day from the United States and from European countries? It would be an advantage for Ukraine,” Peskov said. He further claimed that Russia must continue its military operations since it has no “peaceful and diplomatic means at hand.”
UK Sanctions Response: New Measures Against Moscow
The United Kingdom announced on May 11 that it will unveil a new sanctions package against Russia on May 12, in direct response to Russia’s rejection of the proposed 30-day ceasefire. The UK Foreign Ministry stated that Foreign Secretary David Lammy will present the sanctions during a summit of EU Foreign Ministers in London.
This follows the agreement reached during the May 10 meeting in Kyiv, where the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine declared that “if Russia refuses a full and unconditional ceasefire, stronger sanctions should be applied to its banking and energy sectors, targeting fossil fuels, oil, and the shadow fleet.”
European officials are also expected to agree upon a 17th sanctions package that will reportedly add over 100 vessels associated with Russia’s shadow fleet to the sanctions list and target suspects linked to the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. The five European leaders pledged to “pass a strong 17th EU sanctions package and to coordinate it with sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom and Norway, as well as by the United States.”
Overnight Aerial Assault: Russia Launches 108 Drones
Russian forces conducted a large-scale drone strike against Ukraine on the night of May 10-11, even as diplomatic efforts intensified. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russian forces launched 108 Shahed and decoy drones from multiple directions, including Bryansk City; Shatalovo, Smolensk Oblast; Millerovo, Rostov Oblast; Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Krasnodar Krai; occupied Prymorsk, Zaporizhia Oblast; and occupied Hvardiiske, Crimea.
Ukrainian air defense systems downed 60 Shahed and other drones over eastern, northern, southern, and central Ukraine, while 41 decoy drones were “lost in location.” The attack injured one person in Kyiv Oblast—a 70-year-old man in Brovary District who suffered an acute stress reaction—and damaged civilian infrastructure in several regions. A summer house was damaged, and five private homes were hit in the Obukhiv District south of Kyiv.
In Sumy Oblast, Russian forces carried out more than 100 strikes on 31 settlements across 14 communities over the past day. The attacks included nearly 10 guided aerial bombs, 30 FPV drone assaults, approximately 30 grenade drops from drones, and over 70 multiple-launch rocket system explosions. Russian helicopters also launched 10 rockets targeting the region.
Battlefield Gains: Advances on Both Sides
On May 11, both Russian and Ukrainian forces made confirmed tactical advances in eastern Ukraine. Geolocated footage published on May 10 showed that Russian forces recently advanced in northern Vovchansk, northeast of Kharkiv City. Ukraine’s Khortytsia Group of Forces Spokesperson Major Viktor Trehubov reported on May 11 that Russian forces had increased the number of daily attacks in the Vovchansk direction from one-to-two assaults to up to five.
In the Novopavlivka direction, geolocated footage published on May 11 confirmed that Russian forces recently advanced south and west of Novooleksandrivka (northeast of Novopavlivka) and likely seized the settlement during a roughly platoon-sized mechanized assault. Ukrainian Southern Defense Forces Spokesperson Colonel Vladyslav Voloshyn stated that Russian forces are attacking up to 30 times per day in this direction and have assembled up to three mechanized regiments’ worth of troops.
Ukrainian forces also made tactical gains, with geolocated footage published on May 10 showing a recent Ukrainian advance north of Druzhba, northeast of Toretsk. Russian forces continued attacks near Toretsk from multiple directions, including north, northeast, west, and southwest.
Russian Casualties Mounting: Over 107,000 Military Deaths Confirmed
Russian independent media outlet Mediazona, in collaboration with the BBC Russian service, confirmed on May 11 the identities of 107,620 Russian military personnel killed in Ukraine since February 2022. Their latest report, covering the period up to May 8, 2025, identified 2,857 additional Russian military deaths since their previous update in late April.
The journalists emphasized that these figures represent only confirmed cases from public sources such as obituaries, posts by relatives, memorial tree-plantings, regional media reports, and statements from local authorities—the actual death toll is likely substantially higher. According to their verification, the confirmed casualties include 26,600 volunteers, 17,100 recruited prisoners, nearly 12,000 mobilized soldiers, and over 5,000 officers.
The media outlets publicly released the full list of named casualties for the first time in February 2025, commemorating the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Volunteers manually input and verify each entry to ensure there are no duplicates in the database.
Spy Scandal Deepens: Hungary-Ukraine Diplomatic Crisis
Hungary on May 11 cancelled a meeting scheduled for May 12 with a Ukrainian delegation on national minorities’ rights, further escalating tensions between the two countries amid a growing espionage scandal. Hungarian Deputy Foreign Minister Levente Magyar announced: “I cancelled tomorrow’s meeting because I believe that the recent developments in Hungarian-Ukrainian relations do not allow for an honest and constructive discussion on such an important and sensitive issue as the rights of national minorities.”
This decision follows Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) announcement on May 9 that it had dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast, detaining two agents allegedly tasked with collecting sensitive information about Ukrainian Armed Forces installations, tracking local officials, and expanding a local agent network. Following this announcement, Hungary allegedly expelled two Ukrainian diplomats from Budapest, prompting Ukraine to expel two Hungarian diplomats from Kyiv in response.
On May 11, Hungary published video footage of what it claimed was the arrest of a former Ukrainian diplomat in Budapest. The Hungarian Counter Terrorism Center (TEK) stated it had arrested a “Ukrainian citizen” for alleged “espionage activities” who “previously carried out his work under diplomatic cover.” Hungarian authorities claimed they deported the individual after issuing an entry and residence ban.
Russian Sabotage Exposed: Poland Accuses Kremlin of Warsaw Fire
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on May 11 made a grave accusation against Russia, claiming that Russian intelligence services ordered the May 2024 arson attack on Warsaw’s Marywilska shopping center. “We now know for sure that the great fire of the Marywilska shopping centre in Warsaw was caused by arson ordered by the Russian special services,” Tusk declared. “Some of the perpetrators have already been detained, all the others are identified and searched for.”
In a joint statement, Polish Justice Minister Adam Bodnar and Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak provided additional details: “We have in-depth knowledge of the order and course of the arson and the way in which the perpetrators documented it. Their actions were organized and directed by an identified person staying in the Russian Federation.”
The May 2024 fire completely destroyed the shopping center, which housed approximately 1,400 small businesses, many owned by members of Warsaw’s Vietnamese community. Polish authorities stated they are cooperating with Lithuania, where the detained suspects allegedly carried out additional sabotage attacks.
New Pope’s First Address: Leo XIV Calls for Peace in Ukraine
In his first Sunday address since being elected pontiff, Pope Leo XIV appealed for “no more war” and called for an “authentic and lasting peace” in Ukraine. Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica on May 11, the new pope told the gathered crowds: “I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people.”
The pontiff proclaimed “Never again war!” and urged that “every effort be made to reach a true, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible.” He also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, while referencing his predecessor Pope Francis by describing the conflicts around the world as a “third world war in pieces.”
Pope Leo XIV, who was elected on May 8 following the death of Pope Francis, previously took a firm stance on Russia’s invasion while serving as a bishop. In a 2022 interview with a Peruvian media outlet, he described Moscow’s invasion as a “real imperialist invasion” where Russia sought to “conquer territory for reasons of power,” marking a notably stronger position than his predecessor.
Rubio to Visit Turkey: U.S. Secretary of State Scheduled for NATO Meeting
The White House announced on May 11 that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Turkey next week, amid Russian proposals to renew peace talks with Ukraine. According to the statement, Rubio will accompany President Donald Trump on a May 11-14 visit to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, then continue to Antalya, Turkey, for a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting from May 14-16.
During the NATO meeting, Rubio is expected to address the war in Ukraine and advocate for stronger Allied defense commitments. The visit comes at a critical time, as Russia proposes restarting peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, while rejecting the 30-day ceasefire demanded by the United States, Ukraine, and European allies.
“Secretary Rubio’s engagements with senior officials will advance solutions to global and regional challenges, expand bilateral trade and investment, and reaffirm our strategic partnerships,” the White House stated. At the NATO meeting, Rubio is expected to promote President Trump’s agenda of “ensuring that our Allies contribute their fair share” to NATO and push for a unified stance on ending the war in Ukraine.
Kursk Attack: Three Injured in Russian Border Town
Three people were injured in Russia’s Kursk Oblast when the town of Rylsk was allegedly struck by a missile attack on May 11, according to local governor Alexander Khinshtein. “According to preliminary information, three people were injured. All were taken to the Rylsk Central Regional Hospital,” Khinshtein reported.
The Russian governor claimed that a hotel entrance was damaged in the strike, along with two cars and two private homes. “The blast wave also damaged two cars and two private homes: windows were knocked out, the roof and garage were damaged. Three more cars were cut by shrapnel,” Khinshtein added.
Ukraine has not officially commented on the reported strikes, and no independent verification of the Russian claims was immediately available. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously acknowledged on April 30 that Ukrainian soldiers remain in parts of Kursk Oblast, where Ukraine launched an incursion in August 2024.