Putin Outplays Starmer/Macron, Rejects Ultimatum, Invites Kiev To Istanbul Talks; Zelensky Says NO (Alexander Mercouris)

The clip opens by pointing to the fact that Putin has recently hosted a number of world leaders that cements his place as someone who is NOT a global pariah as portrayed in the Western media. Russia has many allies and is highly respected throughout the rest of the world, at least outside the West. 

When it comes to negotiating a ceasefire in Ukraine, nothing has changed. The Russians will not concede any of their core positions to placate their opponents. 

Towards the end of the video Alexander touches on the fact that Putin, for the first time, called the conflict in Ukraine a 'war' which might be a signal of Russian escalation. 

[Posted at the SpookyWeather2 blog, May 12, 2025.]