Putin stunned into 'strange silence' after Zelensky's invitation to peace talks

Day 1,175. Today, we look ahead to what might happen on Thursday in Istanbul. We discuss whether Putin will show up at all. We also dive into the potential 17th round of sanctions if Russia doesn’t agree to a ceasefire, and whether Europe can deliver on its promises. Finally, Francis has a robust conversation with the Hungarian Secretary of State for International Communication and Relations, Zoltán Kovács, at the Hungarian embassy in London. Contributors: Adélie Pojzman-Pontay (Reporter and Producer). @adeliepjz on X. Dom Nicholls (Associate Editor for Defence). @DomNicholls on X. Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X. Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X. With thanks to Zoltan Kovacs, Hungarian Secretary of State for International Communication and Relations. SIGN UP TO THE NEW ‘UKRAINE: THE LATEST’ WEEKLY NEWSLETTER: https://secure.telegraph.co.uk/customer/secure/newsletter/ukraine/ Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting. It’s free for everyone, including non-subscribers. Content Referenced: Joe Barnes, on the Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/authors/j/jk-jo/joe-barnes/ Trump toys with late entrance to Ukraine-Russia peace talks, Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/12/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-latest-news/ UK to Unveil New Russia Sanctions as European Ministers Meet, Bloomberg https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-11/uk-to-unveil-new-russia-sanctions-as-european-ministers-meet Why the EU is racing to expand its Russia sanctions in a push for peace, Financial Times https://www.ft.com/content/2a781235-ad89-4aaf-a55f-c4863ba060c1 EU readies capital controls and tariffs to safeguard Russia sanctions, Financial Times https://www.ft.com/content/7f7687da-b31a-4c64-a446-221c4a756a05 NOW AVAILABLE IN NEW LANGUAGES: The Telegraph has launched translated versions of Ukraine: The Latest in Ukrainian and Russian, making its reporting accessible to audiences on both sides of the battle lines and across the wider region, including Central Asia and the Caucasus. Just search Україна: Останні Новини (Ukr) and Украина: Последние Новости (Ru) on your on your preferred podcast app to find them. Listen here: https://linktr.ee/ukrainethelatest Subscribe: telegraph.co.uk/ukrainethelatest Email: ukrainepod@telegraph.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.