BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - JUNE 4, 2025 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “UKRAINIAN PRESIDENCY” HANDOUT —EDITORIAL USE ONLY— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the 28th meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group via video link, held at NATO headquarters in Brussels under the leadership of Germany and the United Kingdom, on Wednesday (June 4). The group of more than 50 nations, also known as the Ramstein group, includes members of NATO as well as most of the European Union. It was formed by Austin in April 2022, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and is aimed at coordinating military support for Ukraine’s war against neighboring Russia. Zelenskyy on Wednesday proposed an unconditional ceasefire with Russia until a meeting can be arranged with his Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that Kyiv is prepared to meet "any day" in Istanbul, Switzerland or the Vatican. "The Russians are not ready for a ceasefire — at least, not at the level of their current delegation. They told us directly that this is a matter for the leaders. We are proposing — and I think our partners may support us — we are proposing to the Russians a ceasefire ahead of the leaders' meeting,” Zelenskyy said, according to Ukraine's state-run news agency Ukrinform. He said Ukraine is ready for a leaders' summit starting Monday, and named Istanbul, the Vatican, and Switzerland as possible venues. On Monday, Istanbul hosted the second round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks after the first one, also in the Turkish metropolis, on May 16. This time, the two sides agreed to exchange more prisoners of war -- focusing on the youngest and most severely wounded -- and return the bodies of 6,000 soldiers from each side.