Pope Leo holds first meeting with Zelensky

"After presiding over his official installation Mass after his election to the papacy, Pope Leo XIV held a private meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, shortly after the two had a phone call amid ongoing ceasefire talks.
In remarks ahead of singing the Regia Coeli Marian prayer at the end of Sunday’s Mass, the pope voiced solidarity with those “who are suffering because of war.” Crux

Pope Leo XIV calls for a just peace in Ukraine during enthronement speech

"In his closing speech at the enthronement mass in St. Peter's Square, Vatican, Pope Leo XIV mentioned the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war and called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
“At this moment, we cannot forget our brothers and sisters who are suffering because of the war... The war has claimed the lives of many young people in Ukraine,” the pontiff stated.
“We all look forward to negotiations and a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” he added.
The Pope also expressed gratitude to official delegations and tens of thousands of believers gathered in St. Peter’s Square and the surrounding streets of Rome for their faith, support of the Catholic Church, and desire to participate in the inauguration mass." Ukrin

Russia Launches Biggest Drone Attack Since Start of Ukraine War

"Russia overnight into Sunday launched its most intense drone attack on Ukraine since the

beginning of its full-scale invasion in 2022, after the first direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv in years failed to yield a ceasefire.
Russian President Vladimir Putin spurned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s offer to meet face-to-face in Turkey after he himself proposed direct negotiations – although not at the presidential level – as an alternative to a 30-day ceasefire urged by Ukraine and its Western allies, including the U.S.
Talks in Istanbul on Friday broke up after less than two hours without a ceasefire, although both sides agreed on exchanging 1,000 prisoners of war each, according to the heads of both delegations. Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, said on Ukrainian television Saturday that the exchange could happen as early as next week." Breitbart

Vance, Ukraine's Zelensky Meet in Rome

"Vice President JD Vance and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky met to discuss the Russo-Ukraine war and ways to end it. President Zelensky took to his official X account after that meeting to strike an optimistic tone as to the results of that meeting."

RedState

Zelenskyy and wife attend Pope Leo XIV's inauguration mass in Vatican

"The inauguration mass for Pope Leo XIV, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska, is underway at the Vatican on Sunday 18 May." Pravada

167 combat clashes on front lines

"Ukrainian forces engaged in 167 combat clashes with Russian invaders.
Russian aviation targeted areas near Buniakyne in the Sumy region, Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region, Berezove in the Dnipropetrovsk region, Kurtivka, Kostiantynivka, Bilytske, Yablunivka, and Novopil in the Donetsk region, Novodarivka, Temyrivka, Huliaipole, and Kamianske in the Zaporizhzhia region, and Mykolaivka in the Kherson region.
In the Kharkiv sector, Russian forces launched three attacks near Vovchansk and in the direction of Stroivka.

In the Kupiansk sector, one enemy attack was repelled near Zahryzove.
In the Lyman sector, 24 Russian assaults were repelled near Novoiehorivka, Lozova, Ridkodub, Hrekivka, Katerynivka, Yampolivka, and Zelena Dolyna.
In the Siversk sector, ten enemy attacks were recorded near Bilohorivka and Verkhniokamianske.
In the Kramatorsk sector, eight Russian offensives occurred near Chasiv Yar, Kurdiumivka, and in the direction of Predtechyne, Stupochky, and Bila Hora.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy launched 14 attacks near Toretsk, Ozarianivka, Dyliivka, and Druzhba.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders repelled 54 Russian assault and offensive operations near Stara Mykolaivka, Yablunivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Nova Poltavka, Myroliubivka, Yelyzavetivka, Promin, Novoserhiivka, Troitske, and Andriivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, 23 enemy assaults were repelled near Kostiantynopil, Bahatyr, Vilne Pole, Rivnopillia, Novopil, Zelene Pole, and towards Komar.
In the Orikhiv sector, seven enemy assaults were repelled near Shcherbaky, Stepove, and Mali Shcherbaky.
In the Dnipro River sector, the enemy launched two unsuccessful attacks.
In the Kursk sector, 14 combat engagements were recorded. Russian forces launched 15 airstrikes, dropped 20 guided bombs, and carried out 224 artillery attacks, including three MLRS strikes." Ukrin