Following a recent phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, plans have emerged to hold direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia with the involvement of European countries and the United States. This was announced during a briefing in Brussels by European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinheiro.
Pinheiro noted that Trump shared the content of the conversation with several European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She emphasized that this was the result of joint efforts by European countries to support direct dialogue with the US regarding the war in Ukraine and the possibility of a ceasefire.
The EC spokesperson also confirmed that Trump and European leaders agreed to hold further direct talks between Ukraine and Russia, although the location has not yet been determined.
On May 19, Trump called Putin to discuss the possibility of a ceasefire in the war that Russia started against Ukraine, as well as ways to peacefully resolve the conflict. Putin, in turn, stated that a ceasefire is possible if appropriate agreements are reached, but did not specify their content.
Additionally, Putin spoke about a memorandum between Russia and Ukraine that may include issues of ceasefire and principles for resolving the conflict. He also expressed the view that the talks in Istanbul indicate that the parties are moving in the right direction.
On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held two phone conversations with Trump: one before Trump’s call to Putin, and another afterwards. The second conversation included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
Zelensky noted that if Russia proposes a memorandum, it will not be secret. Such a document could serve as the basis for creating a “map” leading to the end of the war and the signing of a treaty. The memorandum would provide for a ceasefire and must be supported by both sides.
Regarding the talks in Istanbul, on May 16 a meeting took place between Ukrainian and Russian delegations with the participation of Turkish representatives. The Ukrainian side was represented by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, first deputies of the foreign affairs ministry, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Main Intelligence Directorate, and other officials. The Russian delegation was headed by Vladimir Medinsky along with deputies of the foreign and defense ministries and the chief of the General Staff’s Main Directorate.
After the negotiations, Umerov reported that the parties discussed a prisoner exchange on a 1000-for-1000 basis and the possibility of a ceasefire. Ukraine is currently working out the details of the exchange, which could take place soon.
Earlier in Istanbul, trilateral talks were held between delegations from Ukraine, the US, and Turkey. President Zelensky, who met with Turkish President Recep Erdogan on May 15, described the level of the Russian delegation as “theatrical,” but out of respect for Trump and Erdogan, sent the Ukrainian delegation to the talks.
Zelensky also expressed willingness for a personal meeting with Putin in Istanbul, where the Kremlin had proposed direct negotiations; however, the Kremlin confirmed that Putin would not participate in these talks.
