Russia's War with Ukraine. Day 1178

Friedrich Merz wrote on his profile on the X service that President Volodymyr Zelensky made a significant gesture by appearing in Istanbul, where direct Russian-Ukrainian talks were to begin on May 15. At the same time, he added, Vladimir Putin made a mistake by not flying to Istanbul. The German Chancellor emphasized that the new sanctions package is ready, and the decision on its adoption is to be made on May 20 at the summit of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.