Zelensky Discusses Potential Venues for Future International Meeting of Ukraine, the USA, and Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed details regarding a possible high-level international meeting that, according to him, could bring together delegations from Russia, the United States, European Union countries, and the United Kingdom. The head of state stated that such a negotiation format is currently under discussion, with active efforts underway to identify the most suitable venue for its conduct. According to the press service of the Presidential Administration, during a briefing Zelensky noted that negotiations are ongoing concerning several possible options for hosting this important meeting. The president's exact words were: “We are considering several options for where this high-level meeting could take place. Currently, there are three main venues under discussion: Turkey, the Vatican, and Switzerland. We aim to select a location that will enable us to organize negotiations in a way that yields the most results and brings concrete outcomes. The issue is not just about comfort or convenience, but about who can facilitate the organization of the meeting in a manner that helps achieve the set goals.” Zelensky emphasized that this is specifically about a summit at the highest level involving representatives from all sides of the conflict and key Western partners. He noted that this is an important step in the long-term process of seeking a diplomatic pathway for de-escalating the war and potentially reaching a peaceful settlement. What preceded these statements? On May 19, in the USA, a two-hour phone conversation took place between President Donald Trump and the Russian leadership figure, Vladimir Putin. Following this call, Trump announced that Ukraine and Russia would “soon” begin negotiations to cease fire. In response, Putin said that Russia is apparently willing to work on a memorandum with Ukrainian authorities, which would also involve a temporary suspension of hostilities. Additionally, he reported that contact between the negotiation delegations that met in Istanbul “has been restored,” and that discussions continue regarding possible ways to resolve the conflict. Prior to this, according to foreign media reports, Trump and Zelensky had a brief conversation before their joint call. This exchange served as yet another confirmation of the high-level diplomatic efforts currently underway aimed at seeking pathways toward peace. In this context, it is important to note that the final decision on the location and format of the upcoming meeting has not yet been agreed upon, but it is clear that active diplomatic manoeuvring continues with the goal of finding an optimal compromise that will produce the desired outcome and lay the groundwork for further steps toward regional stabilization. Alongside this diplomatic activity, there is a growing interest from the global community and experts in the future format of negotiations. All participants aim not only to resolve the current crisis but also to establish a foundation for long-term peace, which is complicated by high tensions and uncertainties surrounding the future negotiation process. Therefore, questions about potential scenarios and venues for the meeting remain relevant, and their successful resolution will significantly influence the prospects for further stabilization of the situation in the region.