(2025-05-16). Insights | 'China remembers' — twice-awarded Soviet hero on extraordinary mission in China against Japanese aggression. ecns.cn In May, Moscow is adorned with blooming flowers. Across the city, tributes to veterans—simple yet powerful Russian signs reading "Thank you!"—are everywhere. For Natalia Khryukina, chairwoman of the Association of Descendants of Russian Volunteer Pilots Who Aided China, these symbols carry extraordinary historical significance.
(2025-05-16). Putin, Zelensky no-show in Istanbul dims hopes of breakthrough. presstv.ir Ukraine and Russia appear deadlocked over next steps in effort to end the war after President Vladimir Putin rejected a face-to-face meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Turkey.
(2025-05-16). The geopolitical future of Ukraine four possible scenarios for. onlineopinion.com.au The most probable outcome for 2025—2026 is a continued stalemate, where neither Ukraine nor Russia achieves a decisive military victory.
(2025-05-16). EU agrees on fresh sanctions against Moscow. ecns.cn European Union ambassadors from its 27 member states agreed on a new round of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday.
(2025-05-16). Hungary's Russian-style 'foreign agent' bill threatens remaining independent media. CPJ Staff
(2025-05-16). Russian journalist sentenced to 13 days administrative detention after filming anti-Putin protest. CPJ Staff
(2025-05-16). Russian and Ukrainian Officials To Hold Talks in Istanbul on Friday. news.antiwar.com Russian and Ukrainian delegations are set to hold negotiations in Istanbul on Friday, which will mark the first direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since 2022. Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, will lead the Russian side, and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will head the Ukrainian delegation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky …
(2025-05-16). Diplomacy Watch: Istanbul talks postponed and 'in shambles'. responsiblestatecraft.org 
The highly anticipated peace talks in Turkey
(2025-05-16). A Deceptive Joy in Geneva over U.S. China Trade Talks. counterpunch.org 
There is joy in diplomatic Geneva. The neutral, good offices convenor of Reagan-Gorbachev and Putin—Biden summits is back in the headlines with trade talks between China and the United States. "China—U.S. tariff talks place Swiss diplomacy on centre stage" boasted a local website. But wait, isn't the trade war between the United States and China a clear violation of international norms codified at the World Trade Organization (WTO)? Is the euphoria over the possibility of averting a global trade war and recession actually undermining internationally accepted principles and institutions of multilateral…
(2025-05-15). Whip and carrot in the hands of the new US ambassador to Türkiye. unitedworldint.com/feed/ Tom Barrack must be declared persona non grata, and Washington's plan to use Türkiye against Iran and Russia must be discarded. We had previously read the statements made by the new US ambassador to Ankara. The new ambassador talked about bringing Türkiye into line, even taming it with a whip. There are some comments in the Israeli press. They …
(2025-05-15). Istanbul hosts first direct Ukraine-Russia peace talks. vaticannews.va Hundreds of journalists gathered in Istanbul on Thursday afternoon as Ukraine and Russia were scheduled to hold their first direct talks there after more than 3 years of war. Russia has confirmed | that President Vladimir Putin will not be taking part despite having called for the talks himself. |
(2025-05-15). Putin dismisses Head of Ground Forces ahead of Istanbul peace talks with Ukraine. albawaba.com ALBAWABA- Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed the head of the Russian Ground Forces, General Oleg Salyukov, just hours before the start of renewed peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, Turkish and Russian media reported Thursday.A presidential decree issued Thursday evening confirmed Salyukov's removal. No official reason was provided, and the Kremlin has not yet named a successor. The timing of the move, however, has raised questions, as it comes amid sensitive diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.General Salyukov had led the Russian Ground Forces since 2014 and was con…
(2025-05-15). Zelensky arrives in Ankara amid peace talks with Russia. albawaba.com ALBAWABA – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in the Turkish capital, Ankara, amid expected peace talks with Russia, The Kyiv Independent reported. Later today, the Ukrainian president is expected to hold talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. A Russian delegation arrived in Turkey for peace talks with the Ukrainian delegation in Istanbul, according to Russian media.On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said while on his Middle East trip that he is still willing to go to Turkey on Friday if enough progress is made in the Istanbul peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.‚ö°&O…
(2025-05-15). 3 Nigerien journalists detained after broadcast on Russia military cooperation. cpj.org Dakar, May 15, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Nigerien authorities to swiftly and unconditionally release journalists Hamid Mahmoud, Massaouda Jaharou, and Mahaman Sani, with the privately owned Sahara FM radio station, after they were arrested for the second time in four days on May 10 for broadcasting information about the country's military cooperation…
(2025-05-15). Germany's Political and Cultural Establishment Prepares to Stand Up to Putin and His Allies. bylinetimes.com In warm spring evening sunshine in the centre of Leipzig a group of mostly young activists are trying to garner support for a petition. Large, glossy and clearly professionally printed posters call for an end to "the war against Russia". | The activists are largely ignored by the shoppers and commuters making their way to the entrance of the nearby station. The only interaction I witness involves a young man who stops to say the best way of ending the conflict would be for Vladimir Putin to just withdraw from Ukraine. | Germany's artistic institutions have distanced themselves from Russia in the immediate aft…
(2025-05-15). Russia Supports Cuba's Anti-US Policies. pressenza.com The Caribbean island of Cuba, with a socialist system and a communist party, and with a population estimated at 11.5 million, faces a seriously deteriorating economic situation. Its labour force is rapidly reducing as many are emigrating to the United States. Most worrying as it may be, more than 2.3 million Cubans who have migrated to the United States generated a volume of remittances (in smaller proportions and scope) that stands at less than US$4 billion in 2023, according to the Cuban Research Institute. Most of the production are owned and run by the government, and the labor force is employed by the state.
(2025-05-15). Russia, Stati Uniti e le nuove divisioni politiche nazionali. strategic-culture.su 
La celebrazione russa del Giorno della vittoria sui nazisti, tenutasi a Mosca il 9 maggio, servirà a illuminare le vere divisioni politiche del pianeta. | Segue nostro Poiché la maggior parte degli occidentali è abituata a dividere la politica tra destra e sinistra, la celebrazione russa del Giorno della Vittoria sul nazismo, tenutasi a Mosca il 9 maggio, servirà a mettere in luce le reali divisioni politiche del pianeta. | L'evento più…
(2025-05-15). Iranian Trade Delegation to Visit Moscow Next Week. tn.ai TEHRAN (Tasnim) — Iran's ambassador to Russia said a large Iranian trade delegation, led by the head of the Chamber of Commerce, will visit Moscow next week amid growing bilateral cooperation.
(2025-05-15). Deepening China Russia ESG Cooperation: Building –∞ New Paradigm for Global Economic Governance. infobrics.org Against the backdrop of accelerated restructuring in the global economic landscape, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles have emerged as core criteria for corporate sustainability and a critical dimension of global economic governance…
(2025-05-15). Trump not attending Turkey talks on Russia-Ukraine war, says US official. geo.tv 
US President Donald Trump sits inside the Oval Office of the White House, in Washington, DC, May 9, 2025. — ReutersUS President Donald Trump will not travel to Turkey to participate in the upcoming Russia-Ukraine talks scheduled for Thursday, according to a US official speaking on…
(2025-05-15). China says ready to 'expand practical cooperation' with Russian army. geo.tv 
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend a welcoming ceremony before their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 8, 2025. — Reuters China said Thursday it was ready to "expand practical cooperation" with the Russian army, after President…
(2025-05-15). Belarus, Russia discuss cooperation in human rights. eng.belta.by The parties reaffirmed their commitment to continuing close cooperation on international environmental and climate issues, interaction within the framework of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.
(2025-05-15). Zakharova: Russia's position on Ukrainian peace deal reflects situation on ground. eng.belta.by Russia's position on a possible peace deal with Ukraine has changed to reflect changes on the ground, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told journalists…
(2025-05-15). Belexpo touted as driver of development. eng.belta.by Belarus' new venue – Minsk International Exhibition Center Belexpo is interesting for business, Sergey Voronkov, President of the Russian Union of Exhibitions and Fairs, told the media.
(2025-05-15). Belarusian food exports to Russia up by 9.7% in Q1 2025. eng.belta.by In 2024, mutual trade in food products and agricultural raw materials | between Belarus and Russia rose by 13.4% year-on-year. Belarusian exports | grew by 15.5%, with dairy product shipments surging by 17%, meat and…