Zelensky declared his readiness for dialogue with the Russian Federation in any format.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 18 that Kiev was ready for dialogue "in any format" to resolve the conflict with Russia.

"We are ready for dialogue in any format for real results," he wrote on his Telegram channel after meeting with Pope Leo XIV.

The Ukrainian leader also thanked the pontiff for his willingness to make the Vatican a platform for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

Step at the meeting: the results of the first negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in three years

The first round of contacts took place in Istanbul — what's next

On May 16, the delegations of Russia and Ukraine at the talks in Istanbul agreed to present their vision of a cease-fire and to exchange prisoners of war in the "1000 by 1000" format.

The meeting was organized at Dolmabahce Palace. The Russian Federation was represented by a delegation consisting of Vladimir Medinsky, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Galuzin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igor Kostyukov, Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, and Alexander Fomin, Deputy Minister of Defense.