On May 19, 2025, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine would not withdraw its troops from the territories it controls and would not give in to Russia's ultimatums. The statement followed telephone conversations between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that took place on the same day. The Ukrainian leader also stressed that Kyiv insists on participating in any decisions concerning the country and proposed holding new talks with the US, Russia, Ukraine, and European countries in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland.

"This is our land, we will not withdraw troops from our territory. This is my constitutional duty and that of our military command. No ultimatums, no one will give up their lands, their people, their homes," — Zelensky said, answering a question from the Kyiv Independent.

The talks in Istanbul, the first between Ukrainian and Russian officials in three years, ended without significant breakthroughs. According to Reuters, the Russian delegation, led by Putin adviser Vladimir Medinsky, insisted on Kiev recognizing the annexation of Crimea and four eastern regions, as well as the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from these territories. The Ukrainian side, represented by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, rejected these demands, but the parties agreed on the largest prisoner exchange - 1000 people from each side. Zelensky called a "complete, unconditional and honest ceasefire" a priority.

Zelensky said he spoke to Trump twice on the day of the talks, before and after his conversation with Putin. The second conversation, which lasted more than an hour, included Italian Prime Minister Giorgio Meloni, French President Emmanuel Macron, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa.

"I asked President Trump that no decision on Ukraine be made without Ukraine", Zelensky noted, expressing hope that US support will be maintained.

Trump, commenting on the conversation with Putin, called it excellent and said that Russia and Ukraine would immediately begin negotiations on a ceasefire.