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Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul, Turkey, for their second face-to-face encounter since May 19, Reuters reported on June 2. 

Russia, Ukraine: Delegations Hold Second Meeting in Istanbul

Europe

Germany

Energy

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government said it supported including the Nord Stream pipeline ban in the European Union's next sanctions package against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, the Financial Times reported May 23, citing officials familiar with the matter.

Europe, Russia: Germany Backs EU Sanctions on Nord Stream Pipelines 

Russian President Vladimir Putin told a televised meeting of government officials that the government has "approved the creation of a necessary security buffer zone along our borders" and that soldiers "are actively working to accomplish this task," Russian state-run outlet TASS reported May 22.

Russia, Ukraine: Putin Says Work Underway for 'Security Buffer Zone' Along Border

On May 21, Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that work on a memorandum for a potential peace agreement with Ukraine was making progress, but that the Kremlin will keep the content secret for now, The Moscow Times has reported.

Russia, Ukraine: Moscow 'Making Progress' on Its Peace Offer, but Insists on Maximalist Demands

United States

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war, AP reported on May 19.

U.S., Russia: Putin Promises To Work With Ukraine on Peace During Call With Trump

Economics

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union was working on a new package of sanctions against Russia that would target the Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, more vessels linked to Russia's shadow oil tanker fleet, and the country's financial sector, as well as further reduce the oil price cap, Reuters reported on May 16.

EU, Russia: Von der Leyen Floats New EU Sanctions on Russia, Including on Nord Stream Pipelines

The first direct meeting between Russian and Ukrainian delegations since March 2022 took place in Istanbul, Turkey, Reuters reported on May 16.

Russia, Ukraine: Bilateral Meeting Ends With No Immediate Announcements

France

United Kingdom

Poland

EU ambassadors approved a new package of sanctions on Russia, the 17th since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with measures including visa bans and asset freezes on senior Russian officials, export bans on dual-use chemicals and restrictions targeting dozens of companies accused of sanctions evasion, Politico reported May 14. 

EU, Russia: EU Ambassadors Approve 17th Package of Sanctions Against Russia

Snapshots

Right-wing opposition candidate Karol Nawrocki waves to supporters in Warsaw, Poland, following the presidential runoff election on June 1, 2025.

The incoming conservative president will likely veto many of the centrist government's domestic reforms, while his euroskeptic views will sustain foreign policy incoherence, potentially undermining Poland's economic outlook and its credibility as a regional leader.

Poland Braces for More Political Gridlock Following Nawrocki's Presidential Victory

Global Elections

Assessments

Service members of Ukraine's 13th Khartia Brigade load a Vampire drone with food and ammunition supplies to be delivered to the infantry at the frontline on March 7, 2025, in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. 

Ukraine's recent string of asymmetric attacks on Russian soil could make Moscow more flexible in negotiations, but it also risks diplomatic blowback that at least temporarily scuttles peace talks.

The Implications of Ukraine's Audacious Attacks on Russia

Mexico

South Korea

Ukrainian, U.S. and Russian delegates meet for peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, on May 16, 2025. 

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Ukraine-Russia Talks, Mexico's First-Ever Judicial Elections

Columns

On Geopolitics

Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 18 at the Congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow. The increasing costs of the war in Ukraine will increase Moscow's incentive to end it, but only in the medium to long term.

The increasing costs of the war in Ukraine will increase Moscow's incentive to end it, but only in the medium to long term.

The Role of Economics in Russia's War Strategy

This combination of pictures shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) during a press conference in Berlin on June 11, 2024, and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Congress of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs in Moscow on March 18, 2025.

While direct talks mark a notable development in the peace process, Moscow will not make meaningful concessions unless it faces bolder action from the West (particularly the U.S.), like asset seizures and increased military aid to Ukraine.

Russia Agrees To Hold Talks With Ukraine Amid U.S. Pressure, but Peace Will Remain Elusive

Supporters of the PiS party demonstrate April 12 in Warsaw, Poland. Poland will hold a presidential election May 18 and runoff June 1 if no candidate obtains more than 50% in the first round.

Social Issues

The outcome of Poland's election will determine whether Prime Minister Donald Tusk's centrist government will coexist with a cooperative president or continue to face institutional constraints from an ideologically opposed president.

Poland's Election: Potential Outcomes and Their Implications

The allure of implementing a sphere of influence model is more likely to disappoint those who may argue that it would create more stability and security.

The Temptations of a Sphere-of-Influence Model of International Relations

Drag-line excavator mines rare earth materials on Ukrainian soil on Feb. 25, 2025, in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine. 

A new U.S.-Ukraine economic deal offers Washington a long-term stake in Ukraine's critical resources -- and a potential lever in ceasefire diplomacy.

New Strategic Pact Gives U.S. Stake in Ukraine's Economic Future

U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (2 L) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (C) attend a meeting with European and Ukrainian officials on April 17 at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris.

Ukraine will be forced to choose between compromising on its supposed red lines to de-escalate its war with Russia, or risk losing U.S. support and its battlefield position. 

Growing U.S. Pressure for a Peace Deal Puts Ukraine in a Difficult Position

Iran

Workers at a quarry Feb. 26, 2025 in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine.

Cyber

The Weekly Rundown: Von der Leyen Meets Starmer, a U.S.-Ukraine Minerals Deal

U.S.-Iran Relations

South Africa

Israel

China

A list of countries facing reciprocal tariffs on display April 2 at the White House.

Global Trade

The Weekly Rundown: The Escalating Global Trade War, South Africa's Coalition Government on the Brink

U.S.-China Relations

Media

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Forecast Webcast

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2025 Second-Quarter Forecast.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

SITUATION REPORTS

Russia, Ukraine: Delegations Hold Second Meeting in Istanbul

Europe, Russia: Germany Backs EU Sanctions on Nord Stream Pipelines

Russia, Ukraine: Putin Says Work Underway for 'Security Buffer Zone' Along Border

Russia, Ukraine: Moscow 'Making Progress' on Its Peace Offer, but Insists on Maximalist Demands

U.S., Russia: Putin Promises To Work With Ukraine on Peace During Call With Trump

EU, Russia: Von der Leyen Floats New EU Sanctions on Russia, Including on Nord Stream Pipelines

Russia, Ukraine: Bilateral Meeting Ends With No Immediate Announcements

EU, Russia: EU Ambassadors Approve 17th Package of Sanctions Against Russia

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