‘Why would he go if I’m not going?’ Trump says of Putin skipping Istanbul talks
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/why-would-he-go-if-i-m-not-going-trump-says-of-putin-skipping-istanbul-talks
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/why-would-he-go-if-i-m-not-going-trump-says-of-putin-skipping-istanbul-talks
Meduza
‘Why would he go if I’m not going?’ Trump says of Putin skipping Istanbul talks
U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin chose not to attend talks in Istanbul because Trump himself did not go.
Zelensky arrives in Ankara ahead of Ukraine–Russia talks, accuses Moscow of sending 'prop' delegation
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/zelensky-arrives-in-ankara-ahead-of-ukraine-russia-talks-accuses-moscow-of-sending-prop-delegation
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/zelensky-arrives-in-ankara-ahead-of-ukraine-russia-talks-accuses-moscow-of-sending-prop-delegation
Meduza
Zelensky arrives in Ankara ahead of Ukraine–Russia talks, accuses Moscow of sending 'prop' delegation — Meduza
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Ankara, where he plans to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ahead of possible Ukraine–Russia negotiations in Istanbul.
Russian authorities arrest employees of largest publishing house over alleged ‘LGBT propaganda’ in books
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/15/russian-authorities-arrest-employees-of-largest-publishing-house-over-alleged-lgbt-propaganda-in-books
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/15/russian-authorities-arrest-employees-of-largest-publishing-house-over-alleged-lgbt-propaganda-in-books
Meduza
Russian authorities arrest employees of largest publishing house over alleged ‘LGBT propaganda’ in books
On May 14, in the Kremlin’s latest crackdown on the publishing industry, Russian security forces questioned staff of Eksmo, the country’s largest publishing house, and arrested about 10 employees. State media reported that the case is part of a criminal investigation…
Russian court fines Meduza nearly $5,000 for violating ‘foreign agent’ law
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/moscow-court-fines-meduza-nearly-5-000-for-violating-foreign-agent-law
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/moscow-court-fines-meduza-nearly-5-000-for-violating-foreign-agent-law
Meduza
Russian court fines Meduza nearly $5,000 for violating ‘foreign agent’ law
A Moscow court has fined Medusa Project SIA 400,000 rubles (almost $5,000) for “violating the procedure for the activities of a foreign agent.” The Telegram channel of Moscow’s courts of general jurisdiction, which reported the ruling, did not disclose the…
Zelensky to send delegation led by Ukrainian defense minister to talks with Russia in Istanbul
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/zelensky-to-send-delegation-led-by-ukraine-s-defense-minister-to-talks-with-russia-in-istanbul
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/zelensky-to-send-delegation-led-by-ukraine-s-defense-minister-to-talks-with-russia-in-istanbul
Meduza
Zelensky to send delegation led by Ukrainian defense minister to talks with Russia in Istanbul
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will send a delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to meet with Russian representatives in Istanbul. He made the statement at a press conference following his meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip…
Russian delegation head addresses media in Istanbul before heading to palace where talks with Ukraine are planned
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/russian-delegation-head-addresses-media-in-istanbul-before-heading-to-palace-where-talks-with-ukraine-are-planned
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/russian-delegation-head-addresses-media-in-istanbul-before-heading-to-palace-where-talks-with-ukraine-are-planned
Meduza
Russian delegation head addresses media in Istanbul before heading to palace where talks with Ukraine are planned — Meduza
Shortly after Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday that Ukraine would send a delegation led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to meet with a Russian delegation in Istanbul, Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky gave a statement to journalists outside…
Russia–Ukraine talks in Istanbul to begin on Friday, Russian state media reports
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/russia-ukraine-talks-in-istanbul-to-begin-on-friday-russian-state-media-reports
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/russia-ukraine-talks-in-istanbul-to-begin-on-friday-russian-state-media-reports
Meduza
Russia–Ukraine talks in Istanbul to begin on Friday, Russian state media reports
Negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul will begin on Friday, Russian state news agency TASS reports, citing a source close to the negotiations process.
Foretelling failure. The Kremlin has instructed Russia’s news media to prepare the public for no breakthroughs in Istanbul
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/15/foretelling-failure
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/15/foretelling-failure
Meduza
Foretelling failure
Meduza has learned that Russia’s state-controlled news media have received instructions from the Kremlin’s domestic policy team to portray this week’s negotiations in Turkey as a distinctly Moscow-driven event. Propagandists are advised to stress that “neither…
Talker, technocrat, soldier, spy. Zelensky called Russia’s delegation for the Istanbul talks a ‘sham.’ Here’s who Putin sent to negotiate with Ukraine — and why they matter.
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/15/talker-technocrat-soldier-spy
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/15/talker-technocrat-soldier-spy
Meduza
Talker, technocrat, soldier, spy Zelensky called Russia’s delegation for the Istanbul talks a ‘sham.’ Here’s who Putin sent to…
Last Sunday, Vladimir Putin proposed resuming direct negotiations with Kyiv in Istanbul on Thursday, May 15. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded that he was ready to meet Putin there in person. Then, for several days, Russian officials demurred…
Rainbow-wigged Pepe the Frog meme too fabulous for Russia’s justice system
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/rainbow-wigged-pepe-the-frog-meme-too-fabulous-for-russia-s-justice-system
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/15/rainbow-wigged-pepe-the-frog-meme-too-fabulous-for-russia-s-justice-system
Meduza
Rainbow-wigged Pepe the Frog meme too fabulous for Russia’s justice system
A judge in Russia’s Novgorod region has fined a local man 1,500 rubles (about $20) for posting allegedly extremist symbols on social media. Court records identify the offending materials as two images shared on VKontakte in 2020: a meme featuring the cartoon…
Textbook revisionism. Russian Security Council’s WWII essay collection reveals Kremlin mindset, three years into Ukraine war
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/16/textbook-revisionism
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/16/textbook-revisionism
Meduza
Textbook revisionism
In early May, Russia’s Security Council published a collection of propaganda essays dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II. Federal politicians, top security officials, and Kremlin aides contributed, and President…
Ukraine confirms loss of another F-16 during combat mission
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/ukraine-confirms-loss-of-another-f-16-during-combat-mission
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/ukraine-confirms-loss-of-another-f-16-during-combat-mission
Meduza
Ukraine confirms loss of another F-16 during combat mission
One of the F-16 fighter jets provided to Ukraine by its Western allies was lost during a combat mission, the country’s Air Force said on Friday.
BBC and Mediazona confirm deaths of more than 108,600 Russian soldiers in Ukraine
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/bbc-and-mediazona-confirm-deaths-of-more-than-108-600-russian-soldiers-in-ukraine
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/bbc-and-mediazona-confirm-deaths-of-more-than-108-600-russian-soldiers-in-ukraine
Meduza
BBC and Mediazona confirm deaths of more than 108,600 Russian soldiers in Ukraine — Meduza
A team of volunteers and journalists from BBC News Russian and Mediazona has identified the names of 108,608 Russian soldiers who have died in the full-scale war in Ukraine.
E.U. leaders weighing punitive tariffs on Russia after Putin skips Istanbul talks — Politico
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/e-u-leaders-weighing-punitive-tariffs-on-russia-after-putin-skips-istanbul-talks-politico
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/e-u-leaders-weighing-punitive-tariffs-on-russia-after-putin-skips-istanbul-talks-politico
Meduza
E.U. leaders weighing punitive tariffs on Russia after Putin skips Istanbul talks — Politico
European leaders are weighing the possibility of imposing punitive tariffs on imports from Russia after President Vladimir Putin failed to attend planned talks in Istanbul, Politico reports.
Delegations from U.S., Ukraine, and Turkey hold talks in Istanbul
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/delegations-from-u-s-ukraine-and-turkey-hold-talks-in-istanbul
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/delegations-from-u-s-ukraine-and-turkey-hold-talks-in-istanbul
Meduza
Delegations from U.S., Ukraine, and Turkey hold talks in Istanbul — Meduza
U.S., Ukrainian, and Turkish delegations met at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace on Friday morning, according to BBC News and Suspilne.
Talks between Russia and Ukraine conclude in Istanbul — TASS and CNN
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/talks-between-russia-and-ukraine-conclude-in-istanbul-tass-and-cnn
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/talks-between-russia-and-ukraine-conclude-in-istanbul-tass-and-cnn
Meduza
Talks between Russia and Ukraine conclude in Istanbul — TASS and CNN
Talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul have concluded, according to sources cited by TASS and CNN.
Ukraine considers Russia’s demands in talks unrealistic — Reuters
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/ukraine-considers-russia-s-demands-in-talks-unrealistic-reuters
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/ukraine-considers-russia-s-demands-in-talks-unrealistic-reuters
Meduza
Ukraine considers Russia’s demands in talks unrealistic — Reuters
Russia’s demands during the talks in Istanbul were “unrealistic” and far exceeded the scope of previous discussions, Reuters reported, citing a source within Ukrainian diplomatic circles.
Russia and Ukraine announce 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap after Istanbul talks
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/russia-and-ukraine-announce-1-000-for-1-000-prisoner-swap-after-istanbul-talks
https://meduza.io/en/news/2025/05/16/russia-and-ukraine-announce-1-000-for-1-000-prisoner-swap-after-istanbul-talks
Meduza
Russia and Ukraine announce 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap after Istanbul talks
A prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine involving 1,000 people from each side may take place in the near future, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said after talks in Istanbul, according to RBC Ukraine.
Say ‘No’ in style. Introducing Meduza’s new merch collection, inspired by our 10th anniversary art exhibition
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/16/say-no-in-style
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/16/say-no-in-style
Meduza
Say ‘No’ in style
We at Meduza love sharing new drops from our store — especially when it comes to our merch. We wear it ourselves, give it to people we love as gifts, and truly believe it’s some of the most comfortable and best-looking gear out there. Today’s launch includes…
Bending with the wind. Created to co-opt urban voters, this minority party’s wartime struggles expose how little space remains for opposition politics in Russia
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/17/bending-with-the-wind
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/05/17/bending-with-the-wind
Meduza
Bending with the wind
In September 2021, the New People party won enough votes to claim seats in the lower house of Russia’s parliament, despite being founded just 18 months earlier. For the first time in 15 years, five parties secured representation in the State Duma instead…