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31.05.2025

31.05.2025Day Zelensky Questions Istanbul Talks

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This page is an archive of main headlines from Ukraine for 31.05.2025.

It displays 65 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.

31.05.2025Day Zelensky Questions Istanbul Talks
The diplomatic momentum from previous days stalled as Zelensky expressed skepticism about upcoming Istanbul negotiations, stating Ukraine and the world lacked clear information about Russia's intentions. This continued the pattern from May 29-30 when Russia failed to deliver its promised memorandum.

Military reports dominated morning coverage, with Russian forces occupying 18 settlements across three regions within a week according to German media. Ukraine countered by striking 58 targets in Russian territory during May. Forced evacuations began from 11 settlements in Sumy region as Russian attacks intensified, killing hundreds of animals and destroying grain stores.

European preparations for long-term Ukrainian defense accelerated amid potential changes in US policy, with reports suggesting the "coalition of the willing" was adapting support plans without American participation. Meanwhile, Trump's envoy Kellogg warned against trusting Putin before consulting Europe, while speculation grew about possible new US sanctions based on Trump's reported displeasure with Putin.
31.05.2025
05:25

05:26Turkey Proposes Istanbul Summit Between Zelensky and Putin

The newspapers report on Turkey's diplomatic initiative following Erdogan's conversation with Zelensky, with Ankara calling for direct dialogue between Zelensky and Putin in Istanbul after delegations complete preliminary meetings (Liga.net). Meanwhile, Russia's absence of a memorandum continues creating an "awkward" situation for Ukraine in negotiations, according to the Washington Post (UNIAN). Fighting intensified with 191 combat clashes reported over 24 hours, concentrated in Pokrovsk and Kursk sectors (Ukrinform UA). Russian forces attacked Kharkiv with drones, causing fires and injuries (Pravda). Combat maps show the military situation as of May 31st (Glavcom).
05:33
09:54

10:04Forced Evacuations from Sumy Region

The newspapers report on escalating Russian attacks in Sumy region forcing mandatory evacuations from 11 settlements, with hundreds of animals killed and dozens of tons of grain destroyed (Glavcom, Pravda). US diplomatic tensions emerged as Kellogg warns Trump's Middle East envoy Witkoff to consult Europe before trusting Putin, amid stalled American peace efforts and reshuffled envoy roles (Kyiv Post). Ukrainian security officials called for extraordinary measures against the Russian Orthodox Church, while a lawyer Maria Bontsler was arrested for her defense work (Radio Svoboda, Ukrinform UA). Bloomberg columnists reported generals' concerns that Putin could attack NATO within six months (UNIAN).
10:19
10:35
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13:23

13:58Russia Occupies 18 Settlements in One Week

The newspapers report on Russia's territorial gains as German media confirms Russian forces occupied 18 settlements across three regions within a week (Glavcom). Ukrainian military leadership countered with strategic strikes, hitting 58 targets in Russian rear areas during May alone, focusing on military infrastructure and defense industry capabilities (Liga.net). Fighting intensified with 191 combat clashes reported in 24 hours, concentrated on Pokrovsk and Kursk fronts, while Russia launched new offensives on the Zaporizhzhia direction (Ukrinform, UNIAN). International concerns emerged over Putin potentially creating a "Janissary army" from abducted Ukrainian children, drawing parallels to Ottoman practices (Kyiv Post). European preparations for long-term Ukrainian defense accelerated amid potential Trump policy changes, while reports suggest Trump's displeasure with Putin may trigger new US sanctions (Pravda, Radio Svoboda).
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15:46
18:16

18:18Zelensky Questions Istanbul Talks

The newspapers report on Zelensky's skeptical stance toward upcoming Istanbul negotiations, stating Ukraine and the world lack clear information about Russia's intentions, describing the situation as "not very serious" (Liga.net, UNIAN, Glavcom). Military developments show Russian forces captured territory near Alexandria in Sumy region, while Zelensky confirmed increased Russian activity on certain front directions (Pravda, Ukrinform UA). Ukrainian prisoner exchanges continued with a photo report documenting the return of military personnel from Russian captivity (Radio Svoboda). The Kyiv Post analyzed concerns that Putin may be creating a "Janissary army" from abducted Ukrainian children, drawing parallels to Ottoman practices of recruiting European children for elite military units.