U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome on May 18 alongside Secretary of State Mark Rubio, reported that the main topic of discussion was the issues surrounding peace talks and efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Discussion on Peace and Sanctions
“Our countries share the goal of ending the unnecessary bloodshed in Ukraine, and we discussed the latest news regarding ceasefire negotiations and the establishment of lasting peace,” Vance noted on social media platform X on the evening of May 18. He added that the parties discussed the situation regarding negotiations in Istanbul, as well as the need to impose new sanctions against Russia, bilateral trade between Ukraine and the U.S., defense cooperation, the situation on the front lines, and the prospects for prisoner exchanges with Russia.
“Pressure on Russia must continue until it is ready to stop the war. And, of course, we discussed our joint steps towards achieving a just and sustainable peace. Thank you to the American people for their support and leadership in saving lives.”
Prior to the meeting, Zelensky and Vance participated in the inaugural service of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. This meeting was the first since their conflict at the White House in February of this year and took place two days after the first direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in over three years, which were held in Istanbul. These negotiations did not yield significant results, except for an agreement on prisoner exchanges, with Ukrainian officials accusing Russia of making “unacceptable” demands.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia until the war is fully stopped and stressed the need for joint efforts to achieve a just peace, expressing gratitude to the American people for their support.