Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a meeting with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his trip to Rome for the installation ceremony of Pope Leo XIV.
In discussions, Zelensky informed U.S. officials about the “unrealistic terms” proposed by the Russian delegation during the peace talks held in Istanbul on Friday, as stated in an announcement from his office on Sunday.
“I confirmed that Ukraine is prepared for meaningful diplomatic engagement and emphasized the urgency of an immediate and complete ceasefire,” Zelensky stated on X.
The discussion also addressed the requirement for further sanctions against Russia, updates on military operations, and a forthcoming detainee swap involving 1,000 individuals from each side, marking the sole tangible result from the recent series of peace negotiations.
“Applying pressure on Russia is essential until they become willing to cease the conflict,” Zelensky stressed. “Additionally, we discussed our collaborative efforts to secure a fair and lasting peace.”
