Ukraine-Russia News
LAST UPDATE: May 22, 2025
Russia’s Weekly Inflation Edges Up to 0.07%, Official Data Shows
Russia’s weekly inflation rate increased slightly to 0.07%, up from 0.06% the previous week, bringing the year-to-date inflation to 3.27%. The central bank has maintained its key interest rate, projecting annual inflation between 7.0% and 8.0%, citing persistent inflationary pressures despite recent stabilization.
Insight
The modest rise in inflation indicates ongoing economic challenges for Russia, potentially influencing monetary policy decisions and affecting consumer purchasing power.
Russia Denies Stalling Peace Talks, Says No Decision Yet on Venue
The Kremlin refuted accusations from Ukraine and European governments of deliberately delaying peace negotiations, stating that no decision has been made regarding the venue for upcoming talks. Russia acknowledged international efforts, including the Vatican’s offer to host discussions, but emphasized that no formal proposals have been received.
Insight
Russia’s stance suggests a cautious approach to peace talks, possibly aiming to maintain strategic flexibility while managing international perceptions.
Vatican Talks on Ukraine Would Need ‘Intensive Preparation’: Berlin
Germany emphasized that any potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine hosted by the Vatican would require thorough preparation. The German government highlighted the need for careful planning to ensure effective dialogue, acknowledging the Vatican’s willingness to facilitate negotiations.
Insight
Germany’s call for intensive preparation underscores the complexities involved in mediating high-stakes international conflicts and the importance of structured diplomatic engagement.
In call with NATO chief, Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says pressure needed on Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the necessity of maintaining pressure on Russia to achieve a just peace during a call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. This conversation followed a shift in U.S. policy after President Trump’s call with President Putin, where Trump suggested resolving the conflict was no longer within his purview.
Insight
Zelensky’s call underscores Ukraine’s reliance on NATO support and concerns over changing U.S. positions potentially undermining diplomatic efforts.
Russia and Ukraine could hold talks at Vatican next week, Finland says
Finland indicated that Russia and Ukraine might engage in talks at the Vatican next week, with Pope Leo expressing willingness to host. However, no formal proposals have been received, and Russia has not confirmed participation.
Insight
The Vatican’s potential role as a neutral venue reflects ongoing efforts to find alternative platforms for peace negotiations amid stalled talks elsewhere.
Rubio Signals Labeling Putin War Criminal Would Hurt Peace Talks
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned that officially labeling Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal could impede ongoing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. He suggested that such a designation might hinder diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
Insight
Rubio’s statement highlights the delicate balance between seeking justice and maintaining diplomatic channels necessary for conflict resolution.
Russia’s weekly inflation edges up to 0.07%, official data shows
Russia’s weekly inflation rate increased slightly to 0.07% from 0.06% the previous week, bringing the cumulative inflation for the year to 3.27%. The Central Bank of Russia has maintained its key interest rate, projecting an annual inflation rate between 7.0% and 8.0% for 2025.
Insight
The modest rise in inflation suggests ongoing economic challenges for Russia, potentially influenced by international sanctions and internal fiscal policies.
Russia denies stalling peace talks, says no decision yet on venue
The Kremlin refuted accusations from Ukraine and European nations that it is deliberately delaying peace negotiations. While acknowledging international efforts, including a proposal from the Vatican to host talks, Russia stated that no venue has been confirmed. Recent discussions in Istanbul led to a prisoner exchange agreement, but no ceasefire was established.
Insight
Russia’s cautious approach to selecting a negotiation venue reflects the complexities of international diplomacy and the challenges in achieving a consensus for peace talks.
Vatican talks on Ukraine would need ‘intensive preparation’: Berlin
Germany emphasized that any potential peace talks between Russia and Ukraine hosted by the Vatican would require thorough preparation. While the Vatican has expressed willingness to mediate, logistical and diplomatic challenges remain, including ensuring the participation of all relevant parties and addressing security concerns.
Insight
Germany’s statement underscores the importance of meticulous planning in diplomatic negotiations, particularly in conflicts involving multiple stakeholders and complex geopolitical interests.
In call with NATO chief, Ukraine’s Zelenskiy says pressure needed on Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasized to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte the necessity of continued pressure on Russia to achieve a just peace. This call followed a shift in U.S. policy after President Trump’s conversation with President Putin, where Trump moved away from advocating an unconditional ceasefire.
Insight
Zelenskiy’s outreach underscores Ukraine’s reliance on NATO support amid changing U.S. positions, highlighting the complexities of international diplomacy in conflict resolution.
Russia and Ukraine could hold talks at Vatican next week, Finland says
Finnish President Alexander Stubb announced that Russia and Ukraine might engage in peace talks at the Vatican next week. The Vatican has expressed willingness to mediate, with support from U.S. President Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, the Kremlin stated that no formal proposal has been received.
Insight
The potential for Vatican-hosted talks indicates a shift towards religious diplomacy, though the lack of formal agreements reflects ongoing uncertainties in the peace process.
Rubio Signals Labeling Putin War Criminal Would Hurt Peace Talks
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that officially designating Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal could impede peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. This stance reflects concerns about maintaining diplomatic channels amid ongoing conflict.
Insight
Rubio’s position highlights the delicate balance between pursuing justice for war crimes and facilitating diplomatic resolutions in international conflicts.
