SHOTLIST KYIV, UKRAINE (MAY 19, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL) 1. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY SPEAKINGKYIV, UKRAINE - MAY 19: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Monday, May 19 that he had held two phone conversations with US President Donald Trump. In a statement shared on his official X account, Zelenskyy said that Trump contacted him prior to speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin. A second phone call between Trump and Zelenskyy reportedly took place later, this time in coordination with European leaders. “This is a decisive moment,” Zelenskyy wrote. “The world can now see whether its leaders are truly capable of securing a ceasefire and achieving real, lasting peace.” Zelenskyy, he reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness for an unconditional ceasefire in both conversations with Trump. He also emphasized the necessity of imposing additional sanctions on Russia if it fails to halt its attacks. Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s willingness to engage in direct negotiations with Russia aimed at ending the war. He mentioned that possible venues under consideration include Türkiye, the Vatican, and Switzerland. President Zelenskyy also stressed the importance of US and European involvement in any such peace talks and warned against US disengagement from the negotiation process. Zelenskyy further stated that if Russia continues its military aggression, refuses prisoner exchanges, and maintains “unrealistic demands,” then both the U.S. and Europe must apply additional sanctions to increase pressure on Moscow.