Kellogg forecasts the possible next meeting between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva, opening a new chapter in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict
amid ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the military confrontation between Ukraine and Russia, U.S. Special Envoy for Ukraine, Kurt Volker, made an unexpected statement regarding the potential location of the upcoming meeting between the two sides. According to him, the next round of talks could take place in Geneva, Switzerland, although other options, including the Vatican, have also been considered. During a Fox News broadcast, Kellogg stated: "We are expecting another meeting. Based on our forecasts, it will most likely take place in Geneva. We would also like to hold it in the Vatican, as it would be a neutral and symbolic platform for negotiations. However, the Russian side was not interested in going there, so Geneva will probably become the next venue for the meeting." The interviewer emphasized: "We are open to any options, and if Russia changes its position, we might revisit the idea of the Vatican, but for now, Geneva is considered the most probable venue." This statement followed an intensification of diplomatic efforts. On May 16, a tripartite meeting of delegations from Ukraine, the U.S., and Turkey took place in Istanbul, aimed at exploring ways to de-escalate the conflict. On the same day, a meeting between Ukrainian and Russian delegations, mediated by Turkish colleagues, was held — the first direct meeting between Kyiv and Moscow since 2022. This marks a significant step in the diplomatic process, giving hope for a gradual breakthrough out of the deadlock in negotiations. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba confirmed that Kyiv still considers the Vatican as a potential platform for peace negotiations. He believes that the Vatican’s neutral environment could create favorable conditions for constructive dialogue. At the same time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed a different view on the idea of holding negotiations at the Vatican, describing it as "inelegant" from a diplomatic perspective. According to the Russian diplomat, such a format is either unacceptable or severely limited in its effectiveness for key discussions. Overall, the situation remains tense; however, recent weeks have seen new signals indicating that diplomatic efforts to find a compromise are intensifying. Expectations regarding the possible location of the next meeting are significant for the further development of the negotiation process. At the same time, there is no stable clarity about the format and timeline, and many factors remain uncertain. It is important to note that reaching agreements is currently seen as a crucial step toward ending the prolonged war and restoring peace to Ukrainian lands.