Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga is traveling to Brussels to participate in a very important meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union, which will take place on May 20
This event represents a significant moment in the context of international diplomacy regarding Ukraine, as it will provide Ukrainian diplomacy with an opportunity to convey current issues to European colleagues and shed light on prospects for peaceful conflict resolution. According to information released by the press service of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the meeting, Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga plans to thoroughly inform his European counterparts about the current situation at the front, as well as emphasize the importance of further diplomatic efforts to achieve stable and just peace in Ukraine. A member of the Ukrainian delegation will discuss the latest developments on the battlefield, analyze progress in the peace process—particularly following recent Ukrainian-Russian negotiations in Istanbul—and update on ongoing international diplomatic activities within contact groups involving the USA, the EU, Russia, and Ukraine. Special attention will be given to the need to increase pressure on the Russian Federation to compel it to sit at the negotiating table and agree to fair peace terms. Minister Sybiga emphasizes that without a unified diplomatic stance and continued pressure from the international community, achieving the long-awaited ceasefire will remain a challenging task. Ukraine considers it necessary for its international partner countries to intensify their efforts and provide strong support to Ukraine, which would help establish a stable and lasting peace. Overall, these negotiations are not only diplomatically significant but also aimed at implementing a unified strategy to pressure Russia and advocate for Ukraine’s interests on the international stage. This is an important step toward strengthening Kyiv’s position in its relentless struggle for its future, as well as a reminder to European policymakers of the need for active engagement in finding solutions to the crisis. Preceding this diplomatic activity were negotiations held on May 16 in Istanbul, Turkey, between Ukrainian and Russian delegations. According to media reports, during these talks, the Russian side made a number of unacceptable demands and insisted that U.S. representatives should not be part of the dialogue. Additionally, Russian delegates proposed their own conflict-resolution options, which elicited a critical response from Ukraine. Ukraine’s Chief of the Ministry of Defense, Rustem Umerov, stressed that during these negotiations, Ukrainians discussed the possibility of a ceasefire, humanitarian issues, and even the potential for a high-level meeting between the leaders of the states. Equally important is the information about a phone call that took place on May 19 between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. According to Trump, during this dialogue, a position was reaffirmed that Ukraine and Russia are moving toward a swift start of negotiations to end the unprovoked and tragic war. This signals from the West that diplomacy remains a key tool in seeking a resolution to the military conflict. These events demonstrate how the international community is striving to find a compromise and support Ukraine in its fight for independence and security. The primary goal of Ukrainian diplomacy is to strengthen pressure on Russia and persistently work to mobilize all available resources to achieve peace. The foreign minister’s visit to Brussels is a crucial step in this strategic effort, which will shape Ukraine’s and the region’s future as a whole.