The Kremlin stated yesterday that there is currently no “agreement” for a second Russian-Ukrainian meeting to be held in the Vatican, despite reports from American media indicating the possibility of discussions about a potential ceasefire.
According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. President Donald Trump informed European leaders on May 19 that upcoming peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine would take place in the Vatican.
During a meeting with representatives from Eastern Catholic churches last week, Pope Leo XIV offered Vatican mediation between Moscow and Kyiv.
Separately, Finnish President Alexander Stubb confirmed to his country’s public television that a technical meeting might occur next week involving Russians and Ukrainians, as well as delegates from the U.S. and Europe, in the Vatican.
Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Russian presidency, responded to a question from Agence France-Presse during a daily press briefing, stating, “There is no agreement yet, nor any concrete plans for future meetings.” He added that “work continues to implement the agreements that have been reached.”
Both Russia and Ukraine have expressed their intention to carry out an agreement for the exchange of one thousand prisoners from each side, which was announced last Friday in Turkey, before considering further discussions. Peskov mentioned, “Everyone wants this to happen quickly,” but did not specify a timeline.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed after a phone call with Trump that Kyiv is “exploring all options” for a new bilateral meeting with the Russians, particularly considering venues like “Turkey, the Vatican, and Switzerland.”
Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, noted after a phone conversation with Swiss Foreign Ministry’s International Security head Gabriel Luciunger that Switzerland has expressed readiness to host future peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni indicated that the Pope confirmed to her the Vatican’s willingness to facilitate peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Moscow and Kyiv had their first peace talks since spring 2022 in Turkey, but the meeting, which lasted less than two hours, did not achieve a ceasefire or any significant breakthroughs.