EU to adopt Russian sanctions on May 20 after Putin snubbed peace talks with Zelensky

The European Union will adopt sanctions against Russia on May 20 in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's declining to attend face-to-face talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 15. "The fact that President Zelensky nonetheless traveled to Istanbul is a significant gesture of goodwill. Putin did not show up — and by doing so, he alone placed himself in the wrong," Merz wrote on X. "A new sanctions package is ready. We will adopt it on Tuesday in Brussels," Merz added.