**Ukraine Looks to International Peace Talks with Russia, US, and EU**
In a developing story, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Kyiv is considering the possibility of holding peace talks with delegations from Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the European Union in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland. This comes after a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
During their conversation, Putin continued to reject a full ceasefire, instead offering to negotiate a “memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty.” The Russian leader’s stance on the matter raises concerns about Moscow’s commitment to ending the war in Ukraine. Despite this, Putin has proposed holding talks between the two nations, which have been met with skepticism by many.
**Russia’s Lack of Commitment Raises Doubts**
The fact that Russia sent a delegation of low-level officials to recent peace talks in Istanbul on May 16 has fueled doubts about Moscow’s commitment to finding a peaceful solution. The delegation’s demands for Ukraine to accept the loss of Crimea and four eastern regions have been seen as unreasonable and unyielding.
**Mixed Messages from US and Russia**
The phone call between Putin and Trump follows days of inconclusive negotiations in Istanbul, where Russia failed to make meaningful concessions. Meanwhile, Trump has stated on social media that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start” negotiations toward a ceasefire and an end to the war. However, it remains unclear whether this reflects a genuine commitment from either side.
**Ukraine’s Search for a Peaceful Resolution**
President Zelensky’s announcement of potential international peace talks represents a significant step in Ukraine’s search for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. By exploring alternative locations for the negotiations, Kyiv may be hoping to create a more neutral and conducive environment for meaningful discussions.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
