Zelenskyy and four EU leaders discuss Istanbul talks with Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders (t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, together with European leaders, held a call with Donald Trump. They discussed the Ukraine-Russia negotiations that took place in Istanbul, presidential spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov told journalists.
According to him, the call with Trump included Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
"The talks in Istanbul were the main topic, yes," Nykyforov said.
Zelenskyy himself confirmed the talks with Trump.
"Ukraine is ready to take the fastest possible steps for a genuine peace, and it's important that the world remains firm in its positions," he emphasized.
The President added that the leaders' position is that, if Russia refuses to cease fire and stop the killing, strong sanctions should be imposed against it. Pressure on Russia must remain in place until it is ready to end the war.
Ukraine-Russia meeting in Istanbul
The Ukraine-Russia negotiations took place today, May 16. The Ukrainian delegation included government officials as well as representatives of the Defense Intelligence, Security Service of Ukraine, and the General Staff. The delegation was led by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.
Following the talks, Umerov stated that Ukraine and Russia are negotiating a potential prisoner exchange in a 1,000 for 1,000 format. So far, no such large-scale exchanges have taken place.
At the same time, he did not mention any agreements regarding a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
On the Russian side, the head of their delegation, Vladimir Medinsky — an aide to the Russian President — said that both sides are considering a direct meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
