Russia-Ukraine talks postponed in Istanbul, actor Maksym Nelipa killed on frontline: May 15 highlights
Ukrainian and Russian delegations arrived in Türkiye for planned peace talks, but the meeting was delayed. Vira Savchenko denied reports of her sister Nadiya’s death in a Russian airstrike. Here’s a roundup of the top news for May 15.
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine did not take place in Istanbul
Ukrainian and Russian delegations arrived in Istanbul for anticipated peace talks. Ukraine’s team was led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
However, Russia sent a low-level delegation headed by Putin’s aide Vladimir Medinsky, prompting Zelenskyy to describe it as “phoney” and insufficient for high-level talks.
Zelenskyy opted to send a partial delegation, led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, to engage with the Russians, stating that he, Security Service chief Vasyl Maliuk, and General Staff chief Andriy Hnatov had “nothing to do” in Istanbul without Putin’s presence.
Ukrainska Pravda and RBC-Ukraine, citing sources, reported that talks will begin on the morning of May 16.
Turkish officials denied claims by Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova that talks were postponed, clarifying no meeting was officially scheduled.
Nadiya Savchenko's death denied
Russian “war correspondent” Vladimir Romanov claimed former Ukrainian lawmaker Nadiya Savchenko died in a Russian airstrike on the 112th Territorial Defense Brigade’s headquarters.
Her sister, Vira Savchenko, refuted the report, stating on social media, “Nadiya is and will be!” No official confirmation of Savchenko’s status has emerged.
Maksym Nelipa died at the front
On May 12, 48-year-old Ukrainian soldier, actor, and Dizel Show TV host Maksym Nelipa was killed in combat.
His brother Andriy confirmed the death, noting Maksym joined the military at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in March 2022, initially serving in the Territorial Defense Forces and later in the Unmanned Systems Forces, where he conducted drone operations against Russian targets.
Nelipa, a senior lieutenant and company commander, is survived by his wife, Tamara, and two children, Artem and Mariya.
Klitschko addresses deputy’s birthday celebration controversy
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko called reports of his deputy Mykola Povoroznyk celebrating his birthday on April 24, a day of mourning in Kyiv, a “manipulation” to discredit city authorities.
Klitschko said a dinner occurred at a critical infrastructure site but denied any festivities.
He requested investigations by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Kyiv’s military command, and the Dnipro River northern command to clarify the incident.
All F-16s from Norway will arrive by the end of the year
Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik confirmed that all pledged F-16 fighter jets will be delivered to Ukraine by the end of 2025, per schedule.
“For Ukraine’s operational security and in dialogue with Ukraine, we won’t disclose how many Norwegian jets have been transferred,” Sandvik said.
Trial of ex-councilor Aryeva postponed
Kyiv’s Obolonskyi District Court delayed the trial of former Kyiv City Council member Yaryna Aryeva, suspected of causing a DUI-related accident with serious consequences.
The hearing, rescheduled for May 26, was postponed due to the absence of witnesses summoned by Aryeva’s defense team.
Other news
- Bloomberg reported the United States proposed reviving NATO-Russia Council consultations to end the Ukraine war.
- Zelenskyy: “We can’t run around the world chasing Putin.”
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