Vatican to host Ukraine-Russia peace talks, Stubb says
Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that "technical" negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian representatives on ending the war could continue at the Vatican in the coming days.
According to the Finnish politician, the United States has not withdrawn from the negotiation process, DW reported.
"They haven't given up. And now the number of mediators has increased. While previously this role was assumed only by the US, Europe has now also joined," Stubb said, quoted by Finnish public broadcaster Yle, deeming this development a positive one.
According to the Finnish leader, consultations have continued "at various levels" following the May 19 phone calls between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian and Russian counterparts—Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin.
The Pope ready to host Vatican negotiations
On May 19, following a phone call with Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump announced that negotiations between Russia and Ukraine would begin "immediately." The White House leader immediately informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German opposition leader Friedrich Merz, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb about this.
Since then, the Vatican has been considered a potential location for continued dialogue. On May 20, the Italian government announced that Pope Leo XIV had expressed his agreement for the Holy See to host the negotiations.
Previous round held in Turkey
On May 16 in Istanbul, the first direct negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian delegations since early 2022 took place. The two sides agreed on a "1,000 for 1,000" prisoner exchange and indicated prospects for continued discussions. The possibility of a personal meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also discussed.
However, sources in Ukrainian negotiating circles reported that the Russian delegation had presented "unrealistic" conditions, demanding, among other things, that Ukraine withdraw from some of its territory before a potential ceasefire.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
