The European Union is ready to impose significantly harsher sanctions on Russia if no progress is made in halting the war in Ukraine this week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 13, according to Reuters.
His remarks come just days before a possible meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, scheduled to take place in Istanbul on May 15.
Merz emphasized the EU’s backing of Zelensky’s diplomatic push for a ceasefire but warned that Moscow’s failure to engage seriously would trigger a powerful new round of sanctions.
“We are waiting for Putin’s agreement, and we agree that if there is no real progress this week, we want to work together at the European level for a significant tightening of sanctions,” Merz stated during a press conference.
An EU official told the Kyiv Independent that the bloc’s 17th sanctions package will be unveiled on May 14. The new measures are expected to target additional sectors of Russia’s economy, with a strong focus on the energy and financial sectors.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, the EU has adopted 16 rounds of sanctions targeting military suppliers, state-linked entities, and individuals involved in the war effort.
Merz also cautioned against expecting further concessions from Ukraine while Russia continues to strike civilian targets.
“I believe more compromise and more concessions are no longer reasonable,” he said. “We support President Zelensky’s efforts, but there must be a real effort from Russia in return — starting with a ceasefire.”
Rubio to Join Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Istanbul, Trump Confirms
US President Donald Trump confirmed on May 13 that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with other senior officials, will attend the upcoming peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul, scheduled for May 15.
The announcement underscores growing international focus on the Turkish-hosted negotiations, following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for direct talks with Kyiv in Istanbul. Ukrainian President Zelensky has already confirmed his attendance, while the Kremlin has yet to say whether Putin will participate.
“Our people are going to be going there. Marco is going to be going there. Others are going to be going, and we’ll see if we can get it done,” Trump said during remarks at the US-Saudi Investment Forum.
Earlier reports from Reuters indicated that Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, would travel to Istanbul to observe the talks. Rubio’s inclusion marks the first official confirmation of Cabinet-level US involvement in the negotiations.
As hopes for progress rise, global attention is now fixed on whether Putin will join the table — and how far the parties are willing to go toward ending the war.
Zelensky to Meet Erdogan in Turkey, Awaits Putin for Potential Peace Talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on May 13 that he will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and is prepared to travel to Istanbul if Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to attend planned peace talks there on May 15.
Zelensky expressed hope that a ceasefire could emerge from a potential face-to-face meeting with Putin — the first direct talks between the two leaders since 2019.
“We will be waiting to meet with Putin in Turkey, so that Russia does not manipulate locations and claim that Putin is unwilling to come to Ankara but is willing to go only to Istanbul,” Zelensky said during a press conference in Kyiv. “I have conveyed the signal to President Erdogan, and the Turkish side is ready.”
The Kremlin has yet to confirm Putin’s attendance at the negotiations. Kyiv, meanwhile, continues to insist on an unconditional ceasefire as a prerequisite for any meaningful progress.
The potential meeting in Istanbul is being closely watched by international observers and could mark a turning point in diplomatic efforts to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine Destroys Russian Buk Air Defense System, Uragan Rocket Launcher with Drones
Ukrainian Special Operations Forces have destroyed a Russian Buk-M3 anti-aircraft missile system and a Uragan-1 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) using attack drones, the military reported on May 13.
According to the statement, Ukrainian operators identified both systems during a reconnaissance mission in an undisclosed front-line sector. Once located, attack drones were deployed, successfully striking and destroying both targets.
The Buk-M3 system, reportedly valued at around $45 million, was completely destroyed along with its ammunition. The military did not provide details about the exact timing of the operation.
The successful strike marks another significant blow to Russia’s frontline capabilities as Ukraine continues to target high-value military assets with precision drone attacks.
The Soviet-era Buk surface-to-air missile systems are used by both Ukraine and Russia. Ukraine inherited Buk systems from the Soviet Union, but the weapons typically use Russian-produced missiles. In 2023, Ukraine announced it had converted the systems to fire U.S. missiles.
The Uragan-1 is a Russian multi-caliber rocket launcher capable of swapping launch containers. It operates with calibers of 200 and 300 mm.
Deadly Strikes Reported on Both Sides of the Ukraine-Russia Border
At least three people were killed in a Russian bombardment of Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kharkiv, a regional official confirmed on May 14, as cross-border attacks between Ukraine and Russia continue to escalate.
The shelling in Kharkiv comes amid ongoing Russian offensives in the area, which has seen intensified fighting in recent weeks. Local authorities have warned civilians to remain in shelters as Russian forces continue to target critical infrastructure and residential zones.
Meanwhile, across the border in Russia’s Belgorod region, at least 16 people were wounded in overnight Ukrainian drone attacks, according to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov. Among the injured were a doctor and a paramedic. Eight of the wounded have been hospitalized, Gladkov said in a statement on Telegram.
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported that its air defense units shot down 12 Ukrainian drones during the night. While the exact locations of the drone interceptions were not disclosed, Russian media suggested they were concentrated around the Belgorod region, which has repeatedly been targeted by cross-border strikes.
The latest exchanges reflect a continuing pattern of tit-for-tat attacks as both sides seek to weaken each other’s military and logistical capabilities near the border. Civilians on both sides remain at high risk as the conflict shows little sign of de-escalation.
Compiled by Ana Dumbadze
