President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Could 18, following the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV, the place the leaders mentioned sanctions on Russia and up to date peace talks in Istanbul.
The assembly marked the primary public encounter between Zelensky and Vance since their heated Oval Workplace alternate with U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 28.
"Throughout our talks we mentioned negotiations in Istanbul to the place the Russians despatched a low stage delegation of non-decision-makers," Zelensky wrote on X.
"I reaffirmed that Ukraine is able to be engaged in actual diplomacy and underscored the significance of a full and unconditional ceasefire as quickly as potential."
The assembly additionally occurred sooner or later earlier than a scheduled name between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin and adopted negotiations in Istanbul on Could 16, the place Russia despatched solely low-level delegates, elevating doubts about Moscow's dedication to ending the conflict.
"We now have additionally touched upon the necessity for sanctions in opposition to Russia, bilateral commerce, protection cooperation, battlefield scenario and upcoming prisoners alternate," Zelensky added.
In a single constructive improvement, Russia and Ukraine reached an settlement on Could 16 for the alternate of prisoners of conflict (POWs) on a 1,000-for-1,000 foundation, Protection Minister Rustem Umerov, who was main Ukraine's delegation, advised reporters.
"Stress is required in opposition to Russia till they’re desirous to cease the conflict," Zelensky stated.
Trump, who has not imposed new sanctions on Russia to strain it into establishing a ceasefire, plans to talk with Putin on Could 19, adopted by calls with Zelensky and NATO leaders. He stated the talks are supposed to finish the "massacre" and obtain a ceasefire.
Ukraine accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire in March. Moscow has continued its large-scale drone and missile strikes, together with the biggest drone assault of the conflict on Could 18, when 273 drones entered Ukrainian airspace.
In Washington, Republican lawmakers have echoed the decision for punitive actions in opposition to Moscow. U.S. Particular Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg advised Fox Enterprise that the "Russian Sanctions Act of 2025 is able to go."
At the least 72 senators assist the laws, which incorporates sweeping monetary penalties and 500% tariffs on nations that proceed shopping for Russian oil, fuel, or uranium, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham stated on Could 1.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
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