War in Europe

Ukraine, Meloni hears Trump, goal is new negotiations. G7 will increase pressure if Russia refuses ceasefire

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also expected to attend the mid-June summit for the United States

22 May 2025

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Key points

Trump after phone call: "Putin not ready for ceasefire"
New Head of Russian Ground Forces
EU Parliament raises farm tariffs

3' min read

The G7 will 'increase the pressure' if Russia refuses a ceasefire. This was stated by the G7 finance ministers in their final communiqué, in which they condemned Moscow's "continued brutal war" against Ukraine. "If no agreement on a ceasefire is reached, we will continue to explore all possible options, including options to maximise pressure, such as further strengthening of sanctions," the communiqué reads.

"I heard from Trump a few hours ago for the last time. The goal is to start a new round of negotiations. We are all doing our part. We have to check the willingness of the actors and the practicability. The priority is for there to be serious negotiations, where all actors show a willingness to move forward, with the goal of reaching a ceasefire. We are working with many European leaders and with the United States to reach negotiations'. So said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in statements to the press after the bilateral with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen.

New meeting between Russia and Ukraine possibly in the Vatican in June

Meanwhile, a new meeting between Russia and Ukraine could be held in the Vatican in mid-June. This was revealed by the Wall Street Journal, which cites informed sources. According to the newspaper, the new summit will also be attended by a US delegation consisting of Acting Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio and Presidential Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg.

The Kremlin, however, did not confirm the Wall Street report. "There are no specific agreements on the next meetings yet, this is yet to be finalised, work is being done to implement the agreements reached in Istanbul," spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Trump after phone call: 'Putin not ready for ceasefire'

However, the Wall Street Journal's indiscretions do not stop there. According to the US newspaper's reconstruction, White House tenant Donald Trump told European leaders during a phone call on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not ready to end the war in Ukraine because he thinks he is winning. Trump's statement came after he spoke with Putin on the phone. Sources point out that this is a confirmation of what European leaders had long thought about Putin, but that it was the first time they had heard it from Trump. This also contradicts what Trump has often said publicly, namely that he believes Putin sincerely wants peace.

Putin: we are creating buffer zone on Ukraine's borders

President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Russia intends to create a 'buffer zone along the borders' with Ukraine to prevent attacks on border regions. "A decision has been made and our armed forces are now carrying out the task," Putin said at a government meeting, quoted by Tass.

Moscow: received from Kiev list of prisoners to be exchanged

Russia has received from Ukraine the list of soldiers whose release it demands as part of an exchange of 1,000 prisoners on each side agreed at the meeting between the two countries' delegations in Istanbul on 16 May. This was said by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, quoted by Tass. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had announced that Kiev had received the list provided by Moscow.

New Head of Russian Ground Forces

Meanwhile, in the Russian camp, it is reported that Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov has handed over the banner of Commander-in-Chief of the Ground Forces of the Moscow Armed Forces to Colonel General Andrei Mordvichev, who was recently appointed to this position. This was reported today by the daily Krasnaya Zvezda.

Belousov introduced Mordvichev to the staff of the General Land Forces Command, expressing confidence that, with his extensive combat experience, he 'will continue to serve with dignity in his new role', the report states.

EU Parliament reviews agricultural tariffs

The green light was also given by the Euro Chamber to the Commission's proposal to increase EU duties on agricultural products of Russian and Belarusian origin not yet subject to additional customs duties by 50 per cent. The proposal was approved with 411 votes in favour, 100 against and 78 abstentions. The Italian government majority split in three. The Lega Lega delegation voted against, the FdI delegation abstained, while Forza Italia voted in favour. The opposition was also divided: the M5s delegation abstained, while Avs, and Pd voted in favour. The proposal also includes 6.5% duties on Russian fertilisers.

The Kremlin responds in anger: 'The Europeans will continue, as always, to shoot themselves in the foot,' said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. "The EU will receive nitrogen fertilisers at a higher price and of lower quality, because our fertilisers, including nitrogen fertilisers, are of the highest quality." As far as Moscow is concerned, "markets in other directions will compensate for these European duties," the spokesman added.