Ukraine and Russia agreed to a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap — the war’s largest — at direct peace talks in Istanbul.
![In this handout photo released by Turkish Foreign Ministry, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, center, chairs a meeting between delegations from Russia, right, and Ukraine, left, at Dolmabahce palace in Istanbul, Turkey on May 16, 2025. [Murat Gok/Turkish Foreign Ministry/AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/image-1747427843.jpg?resize=570%2C380&quality=80)
Since the outbreak of the war, Turkiye has weighed its support for Ukraine against maintaining its ties to Russia.
As Vladimir Putin rejects Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s proposal for a face-to-face meeting, the EU is readying penalties.
![European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, right, speaks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they arrive for an EU Summit at the European Council building in Brussels, Belgium [File: Omar Havana/AP Photo]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AP25065400301435-1741274446.jpg?resize=570%2C380&quality=80)
On eve of Istanbul talks, Moscow ignored a call for a 30-day ceasefire and showed signs of preparing for new offensives.
![Police carry an injured man on a stretcher after a Russian strike on residential neighbourhood in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Thursday, May 1, 2025 [Kateryna Klochko/AP]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/AP25133558313225-1747302116.jpg?resize=570%2C380&quality=80)
Zelenskyy will be in Turkiye, but Putin is not on Russia’s team for the first direct Moscow-Kyiv talks since 2022.
Kyiv and European powers have criticised Vladimir Putin for sending a ‘low-level’ delegation to Istanbul.
These are the key events on day 1,172 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
![An explosion of a ballistic missile lights up the sky over the city during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine April 24, 2025. [File: Gleb Garanich/Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-24T065104Z_102465196_RC2Z3EA7QTSU_RTRMADP_3_UKRAINE-CRISIS-ATTACK-KYIV-1745488292.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
European leaders have given Russia’s president an ultimatum on agreeing to a 30-day Ukraine ceasefire.
Moscow rejects a US-backed 30-day truce proposal from Ukraine and its European allies, saying no to ‘ultimatums’.
![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire with Russia - whose President Vladimir Putin is depicted on the left - after meeting European leaders in Kyiv on May 10, 2025 [File: Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Putin_Zelenskyy_splitscreen-1731030049.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Ukraine’s leader has insisted there must be a full, temporary ceasefire in place before any direct talks with Russia.
Putin welcomes allies at parade planned to push patriotism and project strength as fighting against Ukraine persists.
Chinese leader, a guest for Moscow’s WWII commemorations, is keen to maintain ‘deep’ relationship with Russia.
Ukraine’s Zelenskyy has not committed to abide by Moscow’s three-day truce, standing by his offer of a 30-day ceasefire.
How has Russia’s leader maintained his longevity – and how has it shaped the world?
