Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that a second round of talks with Ukraine would soon take place.
Speaking at a conference on southern Russia in Moscow, Lavrov said that work on a peace memorandum was underway and had already reached an “advanced stage” on the Russian side.
Speaking about media reports suggesting the Vatican as a possible venue for talks, Lavrov expressed reservations, saying that it would be “uncomfortable” for the Holy See itself to host delegations from two Orthodox countries in the current circumstances.
“Imagine the Vatican as a venue for negotiations. It is quite inappropriate, I would say, for Orthodox nations to discuss the elimination of root causes on a Catholic platform. I believe that would not be particularly pleasant for the Vatican either,” he said.
Russia and Ukraine resumed direct peace talks in Istanbul on May 16 after a break of more than three years. During the meeting, both sides agreed to exchange 1,000 prisoners and to begin drafting a document that would outline the terms of a potential ceasefire in the conflict that has lasted more than three years.
US President Donald Trump, after a two-hour conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday, said the Vatican had shown interest in hosting the talks, AA writes.
