Trump and Putin to Discuss “Bloodbath in Ukraine” Amid Intense Drone Attacks – 5/19/2025, 6:28:44 PM

As of May 19, 2025, here are the latest world news developments:

International Conflicts and Diplomacy

President Trump is expected to speak with Russian President Putin to discuss stopping what Trump called “the bloodbath in Ukraine.” This call follows direct Ukraine-Russia talks held in Turkey last week, though fighting continued over the weekend with Ukraine accusing Russia of carrying out its largest drone attack of the war[1][5].

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Pope Leo at the Vatican on Sunday. The Pope repeated his call for peace in both Gaza and Ukraine. Pope Leo also held a meeting today with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio[1].

Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, who resigned in April, has publicly criticized Trump’s policies, stating that “The policy since the beginning of the Trump administration has been to put pressure on the victim Ukraine rather than on the aggressor Russia”[1].

European Politics

In Romania, centrist Bucharest mayor Nikoserdan defeated his far-right rival George Simeon. This election came almost 5 months after Romania’s constitutional court annulled the 2024 presidential election that was won by far-right ultra-nationalist Kalin Georgescu, who was subsequently barred from running again[1].

Portugal’s ruling center-right democratic alliance has won a snap election but failed to secure a majority. The far-right party Chega surged, winning a record 22% of the vote[1].

Poland held the first round of its presidential election, with candidates from the right and far right performing well[5].

International Relations

Indonesia and Thailand have elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership during the first state visit by an Indonesian president in 20 years. The countries agreed to boost trade, investment, and defense ties[5].

Weather and Disasters

Deadly storms have struck three states in the U.S. over the weekend[2].

In Cambodia, three people were killed and several others injured when they were struck by lightning while visiting the Angkor Wat temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site[5].

Transportation

France’s Paris-Orly airport is still experiencing flight cancellations and delays after air traffic control systems suffered a breakdown, causing substantial disruption[5].

Legal Developments

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, has stepped down temporarily following accusations of sexual abuse from ICC staffers[1].

Health News

Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer[2].