Russia-Ukraine Conflict Chronology: Day 1,176 - Significant Milestones in the Russian Assault on Ukraine
Thursday, May 15: A Day of Diplomatic Shifts and Military Actions
Skirmishes and Clashes
Russia's defense ministry announced on social media platforms that its troops have seized control over two villages – Torskoye and Novooleksandrivka – in the Donetsk region of Ukraine. Meanwhile, a Russian missile barrage struck Sumy, a city in Ukraine's northeast, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least three civilians, according to Ukrainian authorities [2]. Governor of Kherson, Oleksandr Prokudin, reported attacks on around 35 areas, including the city of Kherson, through drone terrorism and artillery shelling. Even though no fatalities were reported, at least nine people suffered injuries during these assaults. Overnight, Russian air defenses allegedly brought down two Ukrainian drones over the Rostov and Belgorod regions [2].
Negotiations and Diplomatic Maneuvers
Amid this turmoil, the warring factions are set to engage in direct talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 15—the first encounter since the war commenced in 2022. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, visited Ankara to meet with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for a prelude to potential talks with the Russian delegation [3]. Strikingly, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, was omitted from Moscow's delegation, despite proposing the discussions himself a week prior [3].
The Russian delegation included several notable figures: Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and Igor Kostyukov, director of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency [3]. The Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, emphasized the delegation's readiness to work diligently on a peace proposal with Ukraine [3].
As the talks approached, optimism emerged from Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who voiced his hope that the meetings would usher in a new chapter toward peace. Yet, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna criticized the decision to send a low-level Russian delegation to the negotiations, characterizing it as an affront [3].
International figures, such as US President Donald Trump and NATO chief Mark Rutte, expressed cautious optimism about potential progress in Ukraine but emphasized the responsibility that fell upon Russia to take the necessary steps. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze, on the contrary, voiced skepticism, expressing doubts about Russia's true intentions for peace in Ukraine, and proposing military weakness as a potential solution for achieving peace [3].
Other nations were also represented at the sidelines of a NATO summit in Antalya, Turkey. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha, while France's foreign minister urged for an unconditional ceasefire before any peace talks, to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past [1].
The European Union passed a new sanctions package targeting Russia's allegedly covert oil fleet, as well, in order to tighten its grip further on Russia's economy [4].
[1] Tomkiewes, L. (2023, May 15). Putin's shadow delegation raises concerns about peace talks with Ukraine. The Guardian.[2] Al Jazeera. (2023, May 15). Sumy under Russian missile strike, Ukraine claims. Al Jazeera.[3] Associated Press. (2023, May 15). Ukraine, Russia to hold talks in Turkey for first time since war started. NBC News.[4] Bloomberg. (2023, May 15). EU approves new Russia sanctions targeting oil shippers. Bloomberg.
- Amidst the breaking news of skirmishes and clashes in Ukraine, the warring factions have announced direct talks in Istanbul, Turkey, a significant development in the ongoing war-and-conflicts that began in 2022.
- Diplomacy is at the forefront as the negotiations approach, with the Russian delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, and Igor Kostyukov of the GRU military intelligence agency, expressing readiness to work diligently on a peace proposal with Ukraine.
- As the international community watches these developments closely, there is a general news consensus that the outcome of these talks could have profound implications for the politics of eastern Europe and beyond, potentially marking a significant shift away from war and conflict towards a more peaceful resolution.
