Arya News - Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the Vatican Sunday for its willingness to provide a platform for direct talks. 18.05.2025, Sputnik International
On Friday, Holy See Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said Pope Leo XIV was willing to offer Vatican City as a venue for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. On Saturday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that holding a meeting on Ukrainian settlement in Vatican City would be acceptable for both sides to the conflict.On Friday, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators held their first in-person meeting in three years in Istanbul on the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the goals of the proposed talks with Ukraine are to eliminate the root causes of the conflict. Following the talks, the parties agreed to a large-scale 1,000 for 1,000 prisoner exchange. The head of Russian delegation, presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, said Moscow and Kiev agreed to present their visions of a possible future ceasefire. The Ukrainian side also requested a meeting of the heads of state, which Russia noted. Medinsky said Russia is ready to continue negotiations.