PUTIN NO-SHOW AT HIS OWN PARTY: Russia and Ukraine may be talking for the first time since 2022, but as many predicted, Russian President Vladimir Putin has declined to take part in the talks he called for in Istanbul today, instead sending a low-level delegation headed by a former culture minister.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Turkey to be ready in the event Putin accepted Zelensky’s challenge to engage in face-to-face talks.
In remarks upon arrival in Ankara, Zelensky said Ukraine would decide about participation in any talks after consulting with the U.S. and Turkey, contingent on what can be accomplished. “We need to understand the level of the Russian delegation and their mandate, or are they capable of making their own decisions, because we all know who makes decisions,” Zelensky said.
“We shall see what our steps will be after the conversation with President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan. I think we will have a few hours for important conversations and important decisions,” he said. “I have not yet received official confirmation regarding the Russian level of representation. But from what we can observe, it appears theatrical,” Zelensky posted on X after his arrival.
In a video address last night, Zelensky said, “Russia is only prolonging the war,” and noted Russian missiles continue to rain down on Ukrainian cities. “While the whole world awaits a simple ‘yes’ from Putin in response to the offer of direct talks – he continues to strike Ukraine. There is no military logic behind this. This is clear. It brings him nothing – and it never will.”Earlier, Zelensky’s presidential adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, said Zelensky would only sit at the table if Putin were there.
NO TRUMP EITHER: In remarks in Doha this morning, President Donald Trump said he wouldn’t be attending either, citing his schedule of events in Qatar and later in Abu Dhabi.
“I was thinking about going, but it’s very tough because of what we’re doing today and tomorrow, but you know if something happened, I’d go on Friday,” Trump said during a roundtable discussion. “I didn’t think it was possible for Putin to go if I’m not there.”
Nevertheless, Trump said he hoped there would be some progress made in Istanbul, which would be the first direct talks in three years. “We think we’re going to do well with Russia/Ukraine,” Trump said. “We have people right now negotiating, and I think that I just hope that Russia and Ukraine are able to do something because it has to stop now.”
NO SURRENDER: Ukrainian media reports suggested that if Zelensky decides to send a delegation to the talks, they would discuss only two issues: an unconditional 30-day ceasefire and an “all-for-all” prisoner swap.
But Russia is insisting that talks be based on the April 2022 draft Istanbul protocols, which included demands that Ukraine “significantly reduce its military capabilities and amend its constitution to add a neutrality provision that would ban Ukraine from joining any military alliances,” according to the Institute for the Study of War, which characterized the demands as “complete capitulation” by Ukraine.
Despite staggering losses (1,220 casualties just in the past day, according to the Ukrainian General Staff), Putin appears to be generating enough new recruits to replace losses and reinforce his forces in Ukraine, with an eye on making more battlefield gains,” according to an ISW assessment.
“Putin stated on May 13, that 50,000 to 60,000 people voluntarily join the Russian military per month,” which the ISW notes may be exaggerated numbers, “to posture a large Russian military amid ongoing negotiations with Ukraine.”
“Putin appears to be embracing significant losses in exchange for diminishing returns to make battlefield gains and manage perceptions about Russia’s military capabilities to pressure Ukraine in negotiations,” the assessment concluded.
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HAPPENING TODAY: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in Antalya, Turkey, today, where an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers just wrapped up. Rubio could be available for Russia-Ukraine talks if they happen, but there’s nothing on his official schedule yet.
Rubio and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Antalya last night, and this morning, Rubio said all eyes are on what’s happening with the talks.
“The president of the United States has been abundantly clear he wants the war to end. He’s open to virtually any mechanism that gets us to a just, enduring, and lasting peace, and that’s what he wants to see,” Rubio said, standing alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. “We’ll see what happens over the next couple of days,” he said. “We are open to being constructive and helpful in any way we can to end the conflict.”
“I will say this, and I’ll repeat it that there is no military solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This war is going to end, not through a military solution, but through a diplomatic process,” Rubio added. “We hope that we can find that the steps forward that provide for the end of this war in a negotiated way and the prevention of any war in the future as a result — meaning a peace that’s going to ensure, not just that this war ends, but also prevents a new one from starting at some point down the road.”
Rutte was scheduled to hold a post-meeting press conference this morning. Earlier, he said the ministers were “making sure that we collectively will do what it takes to make sure that Ukraine can prevail and that we can collectively help Ukraine to bring this war to a lasting and durable peace.”
TRUMP ON IRAN: ‘WE’RE GETTING CLOSE TO MAYBE DOING A DEAL’: During his remarks in Doha, President Trump continued to express optimism that a new nuclear deal with Tehran that would bar Iran from ever possessing a nuclear weapon is within reach. But he also dangled the threat of a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities as an option should negotiations fail.
“I think we’re getting close to maybe doing a deal,” Trump said, describing the negotiations as a two-step process. “There’s two steps. There’s a very, very nice step, and there’s a violent step, violence like people haven’t seen before.”
“I don’t want to do the second step. Some people do; many people do. I don’t want to do that step,so we’ll see what happens,” Trump said. “But we’re in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace.”
IRAN READY TO MAKE DEAL WITH US ON URANIUM ENRICHMENT IF ECONOMIC SANCTIONS LIFTED
GABBARD FIRES VETERAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICIALS: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is under fire from Democrats after she fired two top officials of the National Intelligence Council for failing to produce intelligence assessments in line with Trump administration policy.
Mike Collins, acting chair of the NIC, and his deputy, Maria Langan-Riekhof — both with more than 25 years of intelligence experience — were fired a week after they released a declassified memo that contradicted Trump administration policy, which asserts that Venezuela is directing the Tren de Aragua gang in its “invasion” of the United States.
“Why is that important and a problem for the administration? Because, of course, the administration is claiming the power to deport people without due process under the Alien Enemies Act, which requires that you have either a state of war or that you have an incursion,” Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said on CNN. “And so that requires the administration to say something which isn’t true, which is that Venezuela is directing this gang, Tren de Aragua, this Venezuelan gang.”
“You can look up her tweet saying the Office of the Director of National Intelligence believes that Venezuela is driving this gang,” Himes said. “That’s not what the organization that she sits atop is saying. And again, you can go back and go read the report. And when it was declassified, it was shown that she was not honestly characterizing what the NIC was saying.”
“The two were fired because of their opposition to Trump, Gabbard’s office said in an email, without offering examples,” according to the Associated Press.
GABBARD PURGES ‘BIDEN HOLDOVERS’ ON NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE COUNCIL
NOMS ADVANCE: The Senate Armed Services Committee has advanced the following nominations to be sent to the floor for a final vote:
- Michael Cadenazzi to be assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy
- Vice Adm. Scott Pappano to be principal deputy administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration
- Matthew Lohmeier to be undersecretary of Air Force
- Justin Overbaugh to be deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security
- Daniel Zimmerman to be assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs
- Anthony Tata to be undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness
- Katherine Sutton to be assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy
- Michael Obadal to be undersecretary of the Army
- Sean O’Keefe to be deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness
SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES TRUMP DOD NOMINEES AT HISTORIC PACE
NOMS ADVANCE: The Senate Armed Services Committee has advanced the following nominations to be sent to the floor for a final vote:
- Michael Cadenazzi to be assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy
- Vice Adm. Scott Pappano to be principal deputy administrator, National Nuclear Security Administration
- Matthew Lohmeier to be undersecretary of Air Force
- Justin Overbaugh to be deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security
- Daniel Zimmerman to be assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs
- Anthony Tata to be undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness
- Katherine Sutton to be assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy
- Michael Obadal to be undersecretary of the Army
- Sean O’Keefe to be deputy undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness
SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES TRUMP DOD NOMINEES AT HISTORIC PACE
THE RUNDOWN:
Washington Examiner: Iran ready to make deal with US on uranium enrichment if economic sanctions lifted
Washington Examiner: Pakistan, India trade accusations and threats, but ceasefire holds
Washington Examiner: Senate committee approves Trump DOD nominees at historic pace
Washington Examiner: Gabbard purges ‘Biden holdovers’ on National Intelligence Council
Washington Examiner: Taliban open ‘dialogue’ as Congress worries about Afghans sent back after their TPS expires
Washington Examiner: Macron accuses Netanyahu of ‘unacceptable’ blockade of Gaza aid: ‘Shameful’
Washington Examiner: Trump celebrates Boeing-Qatar deal amid Air Force One gift controversy
Washington Examiner: Qatari prime minister brushes off scrutiny in Trump plane deal: ‘Politicized’
Washington Examiner: Trump ‘would like’ to discuss immigration with ‘surprise choice’ Pope Leo
Washington Examiner: South African president calls refugees ‘cowards’ after arrival in US
Washington Examiner: Noem refuses to answer whether picture of Abrego Garcia was doctored
Washington Examiner: Tom Rogan Opinion: Why Trump is boosting Saudi Arabia and sidelining Benjamin Netanyahu
Politico: Boeing Signs Deal in Doha Against Backdrop of Air Force One Delays, Qatar’s Luxury Jet Gift
Bloomberg: US-Saudi $142 Billion Defense Deal Sparks Questions, Few Answers
Bloomberg: Frigate Touted by Trump Is Among Navy’s ‘Least Performing’ Programs, New Report Says
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Lawmakers Frustrated by Lack of Details for Trump’s Defense Budget
Stars and Stripes: Coast Guard Needs More Money, New Ships and Aircraft to Keep Up with Southern Border Mission, Commandant Says
SpaceNews: Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Rumored Cuts to Commercial Satellite Imagery Funding
Military Times: Navy Leaders Look to Expand Munitions Options as Supplies Run Low
DefenseScoop: Senate Confirms Former Uber Executive as Pentagon’s Chief Technology Officer
Stars and Stripes: New Joint Chiefs boss steps into role with prelude to high-stakes NATO summit
Washington Post: National Airport, Pentagon Hotline Had Been Disconnected for Three Years
The War Zone: Fate Of Navy’s F/A-XX Future Fighter Is in Limbo
Inside Defense: F-35 Lots 18 and 19 May Be Combined; Award Now Expected Late June
Wall Street Journal: The US Nuclear Base Hidden Under Greenland’s Ice for Decades
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Reveals Range and Inventory Goals for F-47, CCAs
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Pentagon Rushing to Find ‘Low-Collateral’ Tech to Counter Hostile Drones
C4ISRNET: Varda Lands Third Space Capsule, Carrying Key Hypersonic Flight Data
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Pentagon to Deploy Discriminating Space Sensor for Ballistic Threat as Part of Golden Dome
Military.com: 2 Educational Programs for Troops Eliminated Amid Cost-Cutting Efforts at Pentagon
Military.com: Real Fake News: How Untrue Claims of a Fired Air Force Vice Chief’s Death Sentence Spread Online
Task & Purpose: Air Force F-16’s Collision with Ducks in Alaska Ended in ‘Flameout Landing’
Air Force Times: Air Force One Greeted by Fighter Escorts During Trump’s Mideast Visit
THE CALENDAR:
THURSDAY | MAY 15
8 a.m. 111 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church, Virginia — Potomac Officers Club Cyber Summit, with Bridget Bean, executive director, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency; and Acting assistant secretary of defense for Cyber Policy Ashley Manning https://potomacofficersclub.com/events/2025-cyber-summit/
8 a.m. 700 M St. NE — Politico Security Summit with House Intelligence ranking member Rep. Jim Himes (D-CN); and Rep. Michael Lawler (R-NY) chairman, House Foreign Affairs Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee https://2025politicosecuritysummit.splashthat.com/Invite
9 a.m. 390 Cannon — House (Select) Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the Chinese Communist Party Committee hearing: “Deterrence Amid Rising Tensions: Preventing CCP Aggression on Taiwan,” with testimony from former Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell; retired Gen. Charles Flynn, former commander of the U.S. Army Pacific; retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation https://selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov
9:30 a.m. G-50 Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: “The Department of Defense Responsibilities Related to Foreign Military Sales System and International Armaments Cooperation,” with testimony from William Greenwalt, former deputy Defense undersecretary for industrial policy; Keith Webster, president of the Defense and Aerospace Council/president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Federal Acquisition Council; and Lisa Saum-Manning, associate director of RAND’s International Security and Defense Policy Program http://www.armed-services.senate.gov
10:30 a.m. 419 Dirksen ‚ Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to consider the nominations of Joel Rayburn to be assistant secretary of State for near Eastern affairs, and Chris Pratt to be assistant secretary of State for political-military affairs https://www.foreign.senate.gov/hearings/nominations-05-15-2025
2 p.m. 360 Cannon — House Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing: “U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Budget Request for FY2026 and 2027 Advance Appropriations,” with testimony from VA Secretary Doug Collins http://veterans.house.gov
3 p.m. — House Armed Services Intelligence and Special Operations Subcommittee hearing: “Defense Intelligence Enterprise Posture Hearing,” with testimony from Dustin Gard-Weiss, performing the duties of Defense undersecretary for intelligence & security; Lt. Gen. William J. Hartman, acting commander of the U.S. Cyber Command performing the duties of director of National Security Agency/chief of the Central Security Service; and Lt. Gen. Jeffrey A. Kruse, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency http://www.armedservices.house.gov
FRIDAY | MAY 23
9 a.m. 550 Taylor Ave., Annapolis, Maryland — U.S. Naval Academy 2025 graduation and commissioning ceremony at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium https://www.usna.edu/CommissioningWeek/schedule.php
