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Zelenskyy Proposes Direct Talks With Russia in the Vatican, Istanbul or Switzerland

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Audrey MacAlpine
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Lucile Brizard
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Zelenskyy Proposes Direct Talks With Russia in the Vatican, Istanbul or Switzerland
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks on the phone during a meeting at the 6th European Political Community summit on May 16, 2025, at Skanderbeg Square in Tirana, Albania. (Source: Getty Images)

On Monday, May 19, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held two separate phone calls with US President Donald Trump—one before and one after Trump’s conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy discussed the outcome of these talks at a press conference in Kyiv later that day, a UNITED24Media correspondent reported.

The follow-up call, which included French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, lasted over an hour.

Zelenskyy said he was focused exclusively on discussions concerning Ukraine and emphasized in his earlier call with Trump that “no discussions about Ukraine [should take place] without Ukraine.”

Following the calls, Zelenskyy underscored the need for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. He and his allies agreed that the next round of talks must be scheduled promptly, identifying the Vatican, Istanbul, and potentially Geneva or another Swiss city as prospective hosts.

Zelenskyy noted the importance of a host capable of facilitating negotiations “at the highest level,” without specifying which level.

“Russia is Russia,” Zelenskyy said. “When they say they want something, they want everything.” Last week in Istanbul, Ukraine rejected Russia’s demands as “disconnected from reality” after Moscow proposed a full Ukrainian military withdrawal from four Russian-claimed regions and recognition of Crimea as prerequisites for a ceasefire.

On May 10, Ukraine and its coalition partners called for sanctions on Russia if no ceasefire was reached in Istanbul.

While new sanctions have not been imposed, Zelenskyy said talks are ongoing among European and US officials. He did not disclose specifics but described the proposed European sanctions package as “robust” and likely targeting Russia’s financial and economic sectors.

Zelenskyy also confirmed that a US sanctions package targeting Russia’s banking system and economy is under discussion.

When asked about delays in imposing new sanctions, Zelenskyy stated, “I am not disappointed, or irritated. I’m focused.” He reaffirmed that delivering “results” remains Ukraine’s “most essential” priority.

Earlier on May 19, US President Donald Trump announced that his two-hour phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin went “very well” and that Russia and Ukraine would begin negotiations toward a ceasefire and an end to the war.

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