(2025-05-17). The Heat: Russia-Ukraine talks. america.cgtn.com 
A Russian official says Moscow and Kyiv agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war each, marking their biggest prisoner swap since the start of the conflict. The news comes as peace talks got underway in Istanbul, lasting under two hours, with no apparent sign of progress in narrowing the gap between the sides. | A back and forth between Kyiv, Moscow and Washington hinted at the possibility of a three-way meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelenskyy. But that failed to materialize, leaving the Ukrainian side frustrated, and the talks to lower-level delegations. The question remains — what happens next? | To di…
(2025-05-17). Russia, Ukraine agree on large-scale POW swap, further talks in Istanbul. independent.co.ug 
ISTANBUL, TURKEY | Xinhua | Delegations of Russia and Ukraine concluded their meeting in Türkiye's Istanbul on Friday, agreeing to hold a new round of negotiations and have a large-scale prisoner exchange. As a key outcome of the two-hour talks, Russia and Ukraine agreed to a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 people from each side. According …
(2025-05-17). Hungary's Russian-style 'foreign agent' bill threatens remaining independent media. CPJ Staff
(2025-05-17). Russia becomes Egypt's largest supplier of wheat and oil. tvbrics.com 
The National Food Safety Authority reports top exporters for Egypt's food imports…
(2025-05-17). Russia demanded Ukraine to cede more territory at Turkey talks. newarab.com 
(2025-05-16). Ukraine before the war: Visiting Soviet Kiev in 1974. peoplesworld.org 
With ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia underway in Turkey, even as the fighting continues in the east, retired People's World Editor Tim Wheeler shares his memories of visiting Kiev in 1974. At the time, the city was the capital of the Ukrainian SSR, one of the 15 republics of the Soviet Union. I will …
(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). 3 Years Into War, Ukrainian Leftists Fight for Labor Rights Under Martial Law. truthout.org As Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters its third year, Ukraine's left-wing community is continuing its work fighting both neoliberalism and Russian aggression. Sotsialnyi Rukh or "Social Movement" is Ukraine's largest and oldest democratic socialist organization. Founded in the aftermath of the Euromaidan protests of 2013-14, Sotsialnyi Rukh has held steadfast to its principled leftist… |
(2025-05-16). Diplomacy Watch: Istanbul talks postponed and 'in shambles'. responsiblestatecraft.org 
The highly anticipated peace talks 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). Museveni Signals Stronger Uganda-Russia Ties on 80th Anniversary of WWII Victory. plusnews.ug 
President Yoweri Museveni has reaffirmed Uganda's commitment to deepening ties with Russia, marking a significant step in bilateral relations on the 80th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in the Second World War. In his letter dated May 8, 2025, addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Museveni extended warm congratulations, highlighting the historical importance …
(2025-05-16). This Is For Those Who … smoothiex12.blogspot.com like to panic and consume hype and BS. Yes, Medinsky did say that if these new 4 regions of Russia (Crimea is completely out of discussion) will not be recognized, 404 may lose more ⚪ and will have to recognize SIX new regions. Here is a video from Istanbul where it is described and emphasized (in Russian). Kharkov and Sumy regions ⚪ get ready.
(2025-05-16). Why Russians Call Ukrops … smoothiex12.blogspot.com pigs. Even in the face of their dead cannon fodder they cannot stop being … pigs. The nation is in a complete psychosis and mental breakdown. Albeit combined West is not far behind.
Meanwhile, lovely Gabrielle Duvoisin (she is French but is Russian now) explains in Russian how she was taught in France about WW II. Yes, you guessed it ⚪ it was about how the US defeated Hitler and liberated Europe. Well, Gabrielle is now the part of Russian history and she can be proud. These are Europeans (French, German, Italian et al) Russians embrace and want them in Russia.
(2025-05-16). They Call It Carpet In Russia. smoothiex12.blogspot.com
(2025-05-16). Lukashenko gets set of Soviet awards as gift from Russian defense minister. eng.belta.by The gift is a panel featuring life-size replicas of the Soviet Union awards. The set is called Winners' Awards.
(2025-05-16). Lukashenko lauds military-technical cooperation with Russia. eng.belta.by Belarus and Russia have made significant progress in military-technical | cooperation and work on advanced military hardware, Belarusian President | Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with Russian Defense Minister…
(2025-05-16). Lukashenko on upcoming Belarus-Russia army exercise: No plans to attack anyone. eng.belta.by Gearing up for the upcoming joint army exercise, which is to take place | on the territory of Belarus as well, Belarus and Russia have no plans to | attack anyone, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met…
(2025-05-16). Lukashenko thanks Russia for providing equal training for Belarusian servicemen. eng.belta.by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko thanked Russia for training Belarusian military personnel on equal footing with Russian servicemen as he met with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on 16 May.
(2025-05-16). Belarus, Russia urged to enhance defense cooperation amid global challenges. eng.belta.by Russia and Belarus, as allies, have a common defense space and must strengthen it as quickly as possible amid the current challenging situation in the world, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said.
(2025-05-16). Belarusian troops thanked for participation in Victory parade in Moscow. eng.belta.by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov expressed gratitude to Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko for the participation of the Belarusian ceremonial regiment of servicemen in the Victory Day parade in Moscow on 9 May.
(2025-05-16). Belousov: Zapad 2025 exercise will train response to aggression against the Union State. eng.belta.by Andrei Belousov said after the talks with Viktor Khrenin that the main | event of combat training for the regional group of forces this year will | be the Belarusian-Russian exercise Zapad 2025.
(2025-05-16). Military-technical cooperation described as key to Belarus-Russia relations. eng.belta.by Military-technical cooperation is a crucial element of the relationship between Belarus and Russia, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said during a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on 16 May.
(2025-05-16). Russia and Ukraine Agree to Prisoner Swap At Istanbul Talks. news.antiwar.com Moscow and Kiev each agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war during Friday's peace talks in Istanbul, the first direct sit-down between the warring states in more than three years. Little progress was made toward a broader truce, however. Speaking after the meeting, Russia's chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, said he was "satisfied" with the first …
(2025-05-16). China Reveals Plans to Build 'Nuclear Plant' on the Moon in a Shared Power Base with Russia. infobrics.org China plans to land its first astronaut on the moon by 2030…
(2025-05-16). Brazil and Russia plan to develop small nuclear reactors. tvbrics.com 
The Russian Federation possesses advanced technologies in this field…
(2025-05-16). The Odessa Moment. Scott Ritter. globalresearch.ca Russia has informed Ukraine of its baseline condition for conflict termination—the withdrawal of all Ukrainian troops from the territory of lands which, from the perspective of the Russian Constitution, constitute part of Mother Russia. These include Kherson, Zaporozhia, Donetsk and …
(2025-05-16). BRICS+: Reforming or Redefining Global Governance. infobrics.org BRICS+ stands at a critical crossroads, navigating the delicate balance between reforming existing global governance structures and ambitiously seeking to redefine them. At the heart of this evolution lies the dynamic between Russia and India — a relationship marked by both deep strategic cooperation and underlying geopolitical strains…
(2025-05-16). US wants to restore diplomatic forum with Russia. infobrics.org Although positive, the initiative is not enough to end the war.
(2025-05-16). "The Money Trust" Part 2: "The Russo -Japanese War," "The 'Great Rapprochement' Between Britain and the US" Richard C. Cook. globalresearch.ca 
Read Part I: ⚪ By . | . | The Russo-Japanese War: | Increasingly, relations among Britain, the US, and Russia must be understood if we want to grasp …
(2025-05-16). BBC morning news: "Russian and Ukrainian sides meet face to face for the first time since the war began…" gilbertdoctorow.com The notion that the British Broadcasting Company is an independent news source was proven yet again yesterday morning to be totally false. The top of the hour news bulletin informed viewers that at 10.00 am local time Russian and Ukrainian negotiators would meet in Istanbul "for the first time since the war began." They then …
(2025-05-16). Russia and Ukraine finalize their talks in Türkiye. defenddemocracy.press Russia and Ukraine conclude talks in Istanbul, with plans for a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange and uncertainty over future negotiations. May 16, 2025 The discussions between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations have concluded as of Friday, though it remains uncertain whether the talks will continue, according to a source familiar with the situation who spoke to …
(2025-05-16). Russian Minister outlines plans to develop air connectivity with BRICS. tvbrics.com 
The country will also support eco-friendly transport technologies…
(2025-05-16). Africa celebrates Victory Day, deepens ties with Russia. peoplesdispatch.org Events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's Victory against Nazi Germany were organized in countries across Africa, while several of its state heads travelled to Moscow to attend celebrations and hold meetings to deepen bilateral relations with Russia.
(2025-05-16). La Strategia di Trump: Armi e Affari. globalresearch.ca Il presidente Trump ha detto che risolvere i conflitti è più difficile di quanto pensasse. Riguardo all'Ucraina, "Vladimir Putin è particolarmente duro nel negoziato e vuole tutto". Riguardo a Gaza "trovare una soluzione è difficile perché hanno combattuto per …
(2025-05-16). While Trump Speaks of Ukraine Peace, Washington Opens a Second Front Against Putin. globalresearch.ca The US House of Representatives Has Passed the MEGOBARI Act (HR 36) that places Georgia, now an independent country and once a province of the Soviet Union, under American protection. Washington has to protect free and fair elections in Georgia …
(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…
(2025-05-16). Iranian trade delegation visits Moscow to strengthen economic and media cooperation. tvbrics.com 
The recent Iran—Eurasian Economic Union free trade agreement is expected to increase trade volume…