Ukraine Proposes Ceasefire as Russia Launches Massive Escalation
Ukraine and Russia exchanged 1,000 prisoners each over the weekend, marking the largest such exchange in the three-year war. This followed a Russian proposal from talks held in Istanbul on May 16. However, the goodwill fostered by this move was quickly overshadowed by Russia’s unprecedented aerial assaults.
In the span of three days, Russia launched over 900 kamikaze drones and 92 missiles, killing at least 16 civilians across Ukrainian cities. These attacks were retaliation for Ukraine’s recent drone strikes on Russian military infrastructure in the Tula, Alabuga, and Tatarstan regions, where at least 800 drones were deployed.
Germany responded by reaffirming its commitment to arm Ukraine, signaling the potential delivery of Taurus long-range missiles. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz not only declined to place range limits on these weapons but also pledged to help Ukraine develop its own missile systems. In Berlin, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited, Merz solidified Germany’s stance with visible support for Kyiv’s defense and long-term strategic capability.
The Kremlin reacted sharply. Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the Western posture counterproductive to peace, and Moscow requested a UN Security Council meeting in protest. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s success rate in downing Russian drones dropped to 82%, due to the drones’ altitude and advanced navigation tactics that utilized Ukraine’s own internet infrastructure.
Peace Talks and Diplomatic Challenges Remain Stalled
Despite Moscow’s aggression, Kyiv proceeded with diplomacy. On May 27, Ukraine submitted a detailed memorandum outlining its conditions for a ceasefire, again responding to the Istanbul proposals. However, no reciprocal memorandum from Russia had been received in Kyiv or Washington by Thursday.
The Vatican offered to host the next round of negotiations, but Russia objected to using a Catholic venue for talks between two Orthodox nations and preferred a return to Istanbul.
Russia insists on resolving what it calls the “root causes” of the conflict. These include Ukraine’s severance from the Moscow Patriarchate, the increased use of the Ukrainian language in public services, and the perceived illegitimacy of President Zelenskyy, who remains in office under wartime constitutional provisions. Russia views the Ukrainian government’s current stance and Western military support as incompatible with peace.
President Zelenskyy previously offered to resign if it meant Ukraine could join NATO and Russia would withdraw. However, that proposal was directed at the United States, and former President Donald Trump rejected NATO membership for Ukraine in an April peace plan. Despite this, Poland reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s accession to both NATO and the European Union, citing strategic, historical, and civilizational interests.
Russia Pushes Buffer Zone, Europe and US Mull Further Sanctions
During a visit to the Russian border region of Kursk, President Vladimir Putin endorsed a local request to annex Sumy, a Ukrainian region. He later announced the creation of a 15-kilometer-deep buffer zone inside Ukraine. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s National Security Council, suggested the entire country might become a “buffer” if military support for Kyiv continues—highlighted by a map shading nearly all of Ukraine as Russian territory.
As the scale of Russia’s offensive grows, Western leaders face increasing pressure to act. Donald Trump criticized Putin’s renewed strikes, describing them as irrational and dangerous. However, he stopped short of endorsing new sanctions after a private phone call with Putin.
In contrast, US senators have warned of severe consequences. A bipartisan bill aims to isolate Russia economically if aggression continues. Meanwhile, the European Union is preparing its 18th sanctions package. Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul confirmed that these would directly respond to Russia’s latest strikes.
Ukraine has also requested secondary sanctions on countries and companies that continue indirect trade with Russia, including India, China, and Western firms using third-party routes. EU officials expressed frustration over ongoing energy imports from Russia, though major reductions have been achieved. By 2024, coal imports were eliminated, oil imports dropped to 3%, and gas imports fell to 13%.
The European Parliament has taken further steps by approving sanctions on Russian and Belarusian agricultural products. Yet, as hostilities escalate and diplomacy stalls, the path to peace remains elusive.
