Kiev eyeing Turkey, Vatican, Switzerland as venues for talks with Russia, U.S., EU

MOSCOW. May 20 (Interfax) - Turkey, Vatican City and Switzerland are being considered as possible venues for negotiations with Russia, the United States and Europe, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said at a press briefing in Kiev on Monday, after a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump.

"I believe it's a positive aspect of our conversation - anyway, we are considering a possible meeting of all teams. We want a high level: America, Ukraine, Russia and European [...] states mentioned here earlier, plus the United Kingdom," Zelensky said.

The meeting may take place in Turkey, Vatican City or Switzerland, Zelensky said. "We are eyeing all these three venues, as all of these three states, all the three venues are good," he said.

"I'd rather not say for now which will be more comfortable. This is not about comfort, this is about who can organize this with a respective result of the meeting. I believe we will have an answer soon," Zelensky said.

Russian and Ukrainian delegations held direct negotiations in Istanbul on Friday. The talks were held at the same venue in 2022.

According to Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin had heard the Vatican's declaration of readiness to assist in direct contacts between Russia and Ukraine.

"Everyone is aware of this initiative. Indeed, the Vatican has made the statement. Naturally, the Russian side is grateful to everyone ready to make input. However, no specific decisions about the venue for further possible contacts have been made just yet," Peskov told the press.

He thus answered Interfax's question about the Kremlin's attitude to the mediation proposal of the Vatican.

As to Switzerland mentioned by Zelensky, Russian officials repeatedly said it had actually lost the neutral status by backing anti-Russian sanctions.