"It Went Very Well" - Trump Sees Imminent "End To The War" After Two-Hour-Call With Putin

 "Confirming the optimistic readout from the Kremlin, President Trump just posted on TruthSocial stating that his call with Putin "went very well." 

Just completed my two hour call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
I believe it went very well.

Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations toward a Ceasefire and, more importantly, an END to the War.
The conditions for that will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that nobody else would be aware of.
The tone and spirit of the conversation were excellent. If it wasn’t, I would say so now, rather than later.
Russia wants to do largescale TRADE with the United States when this catastrophic “bloodbath” is over, and I agree.
There is a tremendous opportunity for Russia to create massive amounts of jobs and wealth. Its potential is UNLIMITED. Likewise, Ukraine can be a great beneficiary on Trade, in the process of rebuilding its Country.
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will begin immediately.
I have so informed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, of Ukraine, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, President Emmanuel Macron, of France, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, of Italy, Chancellor Friedrich Merz, of Germany, and President Alexander Stubb, of Finland, during a call with me, immediately after the call with President Putin.
The Vatican, as represented by the Pope, has stated that it would be very interested in hosting the negotiations.
Let the process begin!" 

ZeroHedge

93 drones launched by Russia in overnight attack on Ukraine

"Ukraine's air defense forces neutralized 93 drones launched by Russia in an overnight attack. Russian forces launched 108 strike UAVs — primarily Shahed-type drones and other drone decoys — from Bryansk, Shatalovo, Oryol, Millerovo, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk." Ukrin

177 clashes on front lines

"Ukraine's Defense Forces engaged in 177 combat clashes with Russian invaders.
Russian airstrikes targeted areas near Pyharivka in the Sumy region, Novopil in the Donetsk region, Huliaipole, Temyrivka, Stepnohirsk, Malynivka, and Mala Tokmachka in the Zaporizhzhia region, and Kozatske in the Kherson region.
In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy made three unsuccessful attempts to advance near Vovchansk and toward Kutkivka.

In the Kupiansk sector, three Russian attacks were recorded. Ukrainian forces repelled assaults near Zahryzove and toward Pishchane.
In the Lyman sector, 23 clashes were recorded. Russian troops attempted to advance near Yampolivka, Kopanky, Novomykhailivka, Zelena Dolyna, Torske, and in the direction of Hlushchenkove, Karpivka, Serebrianka, Yampil, Hryhorivka, Novyi Myr, Ridkodub, and Olhivka.
In the Siversk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled four attacks near Verkhniokamianske, Bilohorivka, and toward Hryhorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, the enemy launched six assaults near Chasiv Yar, Bila Hora, Kurdiumivka, and toward Predtechyne.
In the Toretsk sector, the enemy carried out 13 attacks on Ukrainian positions near Toretsk, Novospaske, and toward Dyliivka and Ivanopillia.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Ukrainian defenders stopped 72 Russian assault attempts near Myroliubivka, Zvirove, Yelyzavetivka, Malynivka, Lysivka, Udachne, Novoserhiivka, Troitske, Kotliarivka, Andriivka, and toward Zoria, Novoukrainka, Stara Mykolaivka, Shevchenko Pershe, Nova Poltavka, Popiv Yar, Myrnohrad, and Novomykolaivka.
In the Novopavlivka sector, Ukrainian forces repelled 22 Russian attacks near Kostiantynopil, Pryvilne, Rivnopil, Vilne Pole, and toward Novopil, Bahatyr, and Zelenyi Hai.
In the Huliaipole sector, no offensive actions by the enemy were recorded.
In the Orikhiv sector, four attacks were repelled near Mala Tokmachka and Stepove.
In the Dnipro River sector, Russian units attempted one unsuccessful advance.
In the Kursk sector, Ukrainian troops repelled ten attacks. Russian forces carried out 14 airstrikes using 32 guided bombs and shelled Ukrainian positions 227 times, including seven MLRS strikes." Ukrin

175 clashes on frontline over past day

"A total of 175 combat clashes occurred between Ukrainian Defense Forces and Russian invaders on the frontline.
The airstrikes targeted the settlements of Mykhalchyna Sloboda in Chernihiv region, Kamianka, Kolodiazne, Staryi Saltiv in Kharkiv region, Popiv Yar, Shevchenko Pershe, Sukhyi Yar, Novoukrainka, Zaporizhzhia, Burlatske, Pokrovsk in Donetsk region, Huliaipole, Chorne, Novodarivka, Novoandriivka in Zaporizhzhia region, Odradokamianka in Kherson region.

In the Kharkiv sector, the enemy launched six assaults near Vovchansk, Vovchanski Khutory, and Stroivka.
In the Kupiansk sector, two enemy attacks were repelled near Nova Kruhliakivka.
In the Lyman sector, 22 attacks occurred near Tverdokhlibove, Kopanky, Ridkodub, Hrekivka, Lypove, Torske, and toward Karpivka, Olhivka, Zelena Dolyna, and Hryhorivka.
In the Siversk sector, Russian forces launched six attacks at Ukrainian positions near Verkhniokamianske and Bilohorivka.
In the Kramatorsk sector, nine clashes were recorded near Chasiv Yar, Bila Hora, Kurdiumivka, and Stupochky.
In the Toretsk sector, 11 enemy assaults occurred near Toretsk, Petrivka, Shcherbynivka, Ozarianivka, Dyliivka, and Druzhba.
In the Pokrovsk sector, the Ukrainian defenders repelled 65 assaults near Malynivka, Myroliubivka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Dachenske, Zvirove, Novooleksandrivka, Kotliarivka, Novoserhiivka, Udachne, Troitske, Oleksiivka, Andriivka, Kotlyne, and directions toward Zoria, Shevchenko Pershe, Muravka, and Popiv Yar.
In the Novopavlivka sector, the Russians carried out 24 attacks near Kostiantynopil, Bahatyr, Shevchenko, Vilne Pole, and Rivnopil.
In the Huliaipole sector, no combat clashes were recorded.
In the Orikhiv sector, two enemy assaults were repelled near Lukyanivske and toward Novodanylivka.
In the Prydniprovske sector, one enemy attempt to advance was repelled.
In the Kursk sector, 18 combat clashes occurred. The Russians launched 19 airstrikes, dropped 35 guided bombs, and carried out 236 artillery shellings." Ukrin

US opposes ‘endless negotiations’ on Ukraine – Rubio

"The U.S. does not want negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to drag on indefinitely, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said, stressing that Washington expects concrete results.
Rubio said the U.S. would examine the ceasefire proposals from Russia and Ukraine. 

“If those papers have ideas on them that are realistic and rational, then I think we know we’ve made progress,” he said." RT

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

Canadian PM Carney reaffirms support for Ukraine in first meeting with Zelensky

"Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed his country's "steadfast and unwavering

support" for Ukraine in a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, which took place on May 17 in Rome.
This was the first meeting between Zelensky and Carney, the President's Office reported, and was one of several high-level meetings in the Italian capital, where world leaders gathered to attend Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass." KI

Israel launches a new military operation in Gaza

"Israel said it launched a major military operation in the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas to

release remaining hostages, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a negotiating team to remain in Qatar for indirect talks with the militant group.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said Operation Gideon Chariots was being led with “great force.” Netanyahu had vowed to escalate pressure with the aim of destroying the militant group that has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades." AP

Al Qaeda Affiliate Claims 200 Soldiers Killed in Massive African Army Base Attack

"A West African terrorist group called Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) claims it killed 200 soldiers when it attacked an army base in Burkina Faso.
JNIM previously claimed 60 Burkinabe troops were killed in the attack but it released a statement that upped the body count to 200. The government of Burkina Faso has not released an official casualty count, although military officials did accuse JNIM of overstating the number of deaths by a wide margin. Local eyewitnesses reported seeing dozens of civilian and military corpses lining the streets after the attack." Breitbart

131 clashes on front lines

"There have been 131 combat engagements on the front lines today.
In the Lyman sector, 19 enemy attacks were repelled near Novoiehorivka, Lozova, Ridkodub, Hrekivka, Katerynivka, Yampolivka, and Zelena Dolyna. Three engagements are ongoing.
In the Siversk sector, ten Russian assaults were recorded near Bilohorivka and Verkhniokamianske. Two battles are still in progress.

In the Kramatorsk sector, six enemy attacks were repelled near Chasiv Yar, Kurdiumivka, and toward Predtechyne, Stupochky, and Bila Hora. Two engagements are ongoing. Kostiantynivka was hit by glide bomb strikes.
In the Toretsk sector, 14 battles took place near Toretsk, Ozarianivka, Dyliivka, and Druzhba.
In the Pokrovsk sector, Russian forces launched 44 attacks near multiple settlements, including Stara Mykolaivka, Yablunivka, Vozdvyzhenka, Nova Poltavka, and Troitske. Ukrainian forces repelled 38 assaults, with six ongoing. Preliminary reports indicate 372 Russian casualties (228 killed), and destruction of one self-propelled artillery system, seven vehicles, 27 motorcycles, a mortar, and 15 drones. Another artillery unit was damaged.
In the Novopavlivka sector, 19 enemy assaults were repelled near Kostiantynopil, Bahatyr, Vilne Pole, Rivnopil, Novopil, and Zelenyi Hai.
In the Orikhiv sector, five enemy attacks were repelled near Shcherbaky, Stepove, and Mali Shcherbaky. One battle continues.
In the Dnipro River sector, the enemy launched two unsuccessful attempts to dislodge Ukrainian troops from their positions.
In the Kursk sector, 14 engagements were recorded, with three still ongoing. Russia launched 12 airstrikes, dropped 16 guided bombs, and carried out 211 artillery strikes, including three from multiple launch rocket systems." Ukrin