Kremlin says Ukraine talks can resume

Dmitry Peskov said on May 19 that Russia still expects peace contacts with Ukraine to resume, after a failed three-day ceasefire and fresh exchanges of long-range strikes. The Kremlin spokesman’s comments came as Moscow and Kyiv traded attacks deep behind the front and the United Nations prepared to hear a new briefing on the war. The latest diplomatic language has survived even as both sides accuse the other of using pauses in fighting to regroup. U.N. and nuclear watchdog warnings issued over the past two days added a second pressure point: the risk to civilians and critical infrastructure beyond the battlefield. ### What exactly did the Kremlin say about talks? Dmitry Peskov said the peace process is “on pause” but can be resumed, according to NBC’s report on his May 19 remarks. His comments followed President Donald Trump’s earlier suggestion that deadly Russian strikes on Ukraine could set back peace efforts. NBC reported that the Kremlin was responding after Moscow faced what the outlet described as its biggest attack in a year and after Ukrainian retaliatory strikes hit targets inside Russia. (nbcnews.com) Donald Trump said on May 16 that a Russian missile strike on a Kyiv residential building could complicate diplomacy, NBC reported. The Kremlin’s answer was to say contacts were not finished, even though no immediate breakthrough was announced. ### How did the latest ceasefire break down? (nbcnews.com) A 13 May letter from Ukraine to the Security Council said Russian drone and missile attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure intensified in recent weeks, according to Security Council Report’s preview of the May 19 meeting. The letter said attacks continued shortly after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a ceasefire to begin overnight between May 5 and May 6. (nbcnews.com) Russia first proposed a limited pause for May 8 and May 9 around its Victory Day parade in Moscow, and Ukraine then proposed a ceasefire for May 5 and May 6, Security Council Report said. After U.S. engagement, the sides agreed to a three-day ceasefire from May 9 to May 11, which U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed along with a planned prisoner exchange. The truce was then marked by mutual accusations of violations. (securitycouncilreport.org) ### What did the United Nations say about the new attacks? Security Council Report said violence escalated again after the truce, citing independent assessments that both armies kept up limited offensive operations during the ceasefire period. It said Russian forces reportedly launched more than 1,500 drones and dozens of missiles across Ukraine from May 13 to May 15, one of the most intense attack waves since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. (securitycouncilreport.org) Kyiv was hit on May 14 by a Russian missile that struck an apartment building, killing 24 people and injuring 48, according to the same briefing note. The May 19 Council session was requested by Ukraine and backed by Denmark, France, Greece, Latvia and the United Kingdom. Kayoko Gotoh of DPPA-DPO and Edem Wosornu of OCHA were expected to brief. (securitycouncilreport.org) ### Why did the IAEA issue a warning tied to Barakah? The International Atomic Energy Agency said on May 18 that a drone strike caused a fire in an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates, while radiation levels remained normal and no injuries were reported. The agency said emergency diesel generators were supplying Unit 3 before off-site power was restored. (securitycouncilreport.org) Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA director general, said military activity that threatens nuclear safety is unacceptable and repeated his call for maximum restraint near any nuclear power plant. U.N. News said António Guterres was deeply alarmed by reports of the strike and said there must be no further attacks near civilian infrastructure, including nuclear plants. (world-nuclear-news.org) ### What happens next in the diplomacy? The U.N. Security Council was scheduled to hold its Ukraine briefing on May 19 after Kyiv’s request, with regional countries expected to participate under rule 37, according to Security Council Report. No new direct negotiating session between Russia and Ukraine was announced in the material reviewed, even as the Kremlin said contacts could resume. (securitycouncilreport.org) (world-nuclear-news.org)