Ukraine eyes peace talks with Russia, US, and EU in impartial venue, probably Vatican, Zelensky says

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Might 19 stated that Kyiv is exploring the opportunity of a gathering with delegations from Ukraine, Russia, the US, and the EU in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland, he introduced at a press briefing attended by the Kyiv Impartial.

"We’re contemplating a gathering of all of the groups. We need to arrange it at a excessive degree. The US, Ukraine, Russia, some EU representatives, and the UK," he stated.

"Such a gathering may happen in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland. We’re contemplating these three venues. The query just isn’t about consolation, however who will be capable of arrange a gathering with an applicable consequence."

The assertion comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin held a cellphone name with U.S. President Donald Trump, throughout which he continued to refuse to conform to a full ceasefire, as a substitute stating he’s ready to barter a "memorandum concerning a possible future peace treaty."

The decision follows days of largely inconclusive negotiations in Istanbul on Might 16, the place Russia despatched a delegation of low-level officers and reiterated sweeping territorial calls for, together with that Ukraine settle for the lack of Crimea and 4 jap areas.

The Russian delegation on the peace talks consisted solely of lower-ranking officers, elevating doubts about Moscow's dedication to ending the battle, regardless of the Kremlin proposing the discussions.

After the Might 19 dialog, Trump stated on Reality Social that Russia and Ukraine will "instantly begin" negotiations towards a ceasefire and an finish to the battle.

"The situations for that might be negotiated between the 2 events, as it could solely be, as a result of they know particulars of a negotiation that no one else would concentrate on," Trump stated.

A supply within the President's Workplace informed the Kyiv Impartial that Trump and Zelensky spoke twice on Might 19 — as soon as earlier than the scheduled name with Putin and once more afterward.

In line with Zelensky, throughout his cellphone name with the U.S. president, he advocated for a ceasefire, the chance to specific views on the memorandum, and for choices concerning Ukraine to not be made with out Kyiv's involvement.

‘It’s our land’ — Zelensky responds to Putin’s call with Trump, Russia’s Ukraine ceasefire demandsA source in the President’s Office told the Kyiv Independent that Trump and Zelensky spoke twice on May 19 — once before the scheduled call with Putin and again after it.The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy