STORY: President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday (May 19) that Kyiv and its partners were considering arranging a high-level meeting between Ukraine, Russia, the United States, European Union countries and Britain as part of a push to end Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters in Kyiv after holding two phone calls with U.S. President Donald Trump, the Ukrainian leader said he hoped the meeting could happen as soon as possible and that it could be hosted by Turkey, the Vatican or Switzerland.

Zelenskiy said he spoke to Trump one-on-one on Monday before the U.S. leader called Russian President Vladimir Putin, and again afterwards in a conversation that involved the leaders of France, Finland, Germany, Italy and the European Union.

Trump said after his call with Putin that Russia and Ukraine "will immediately start negotiations" towards a ceasefire.

Zelenskiy said that during his initial call with Trump he underlined the need for a ceasefire and sanctions on Russia as well as the importance of Kyiv's allies not reaching agreements with Russia without Ukraine.

Ukraine and Russia held direct negotiations in Istanbul last week at the behest of the United States. The talks highlighted how far apart they are on their vision for ending the war, which is now grinding through its fourth year.

Zelenskiy said he expected Europe to announce a "strong" new package of sanctions on Russia, though he did not elaborate. He called on the United States to sanction Russia's banking and energy sectors to reduce the revenue for its military needs.

He said he hoped that a major prisoner swap agreed in principle at the talks in Istanbul would happen in either days or weeks.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY COMMENTING

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: KYIV, UKRAINE (MAY 19, 2025) (REUTERS – Access all)

1. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY ENTERING ROOM

2. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“We are considering a meeting of all teams again – we would like it to be at a high level: America, Ukraine, Russia, European countries and Great Britain. Such meeting could take place in Turkey, Vatican or Switzerland.”

3. NEWS CONFERENCE UNDERWAY

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“I had two phone calls with President Trump today in different formats. During the first call we talked about what is very important for Ukraine – the ceasefire. We talked about these things in Istanbul and before that. The second topic we talked about is the readiness of the United States to make more serious sanction steps – I asked him to consider it and impose the sanctions if Russia does not support the ceasefire and doesn’t want to end this war.”

5. NEWS CONFERENCE UNDERWAY

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“The third thing I asked him before his call with Putin is not to make any decisions about Ukraine without us. This things are basic for us.”

7. NEWS CONFERENCE UNDERWAY

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“Regarding the U.S. (sanctions package) – it Is a different story. We have to work together to persuade the U.S. to impose certain sanctions (on Russia) in a moment that they are capable of. It would help a lot – sanctions on banking and energy. It depends much on the U.S. whether Putin and Russia’s army earn for this war or not.”

9. NEWS CONFERENCE UNDERWAY

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT, VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY, SAYING:

“Nobody will withdraw our forces from our territories. It is my constitutional duty, the duty of our military to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Yes, there are temporarily occupied territories now because of the aggression of such a huge country. But we will accept no ultimatums. We will not give away our land, our territories and our people, our homes.”

11. ZELENSKIY LEAVING