Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said diplomatic efforts to end the war with Russia need to be intensified and that he expects new U.S. proposals on peace talks formats and schedules. He made the remarks in a nightly video address on May 22, also briefing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz about recent frontline developments [1, 2].
Zelenskiy said the frontline situation is favorable to Ukraine. Since the start of 2026, Ukrainian forces have restored control of about 590 square kilometers of territory previously occupied by Russian forces, marking significant progress on the battlefield [1, 2]. He told the leaders, "Right now everything must be done to intensify diplomacy. I am also expecting a response from the American side regarding possible formats and the schedule of meetings" [1].
The UK, France, and Germany leaders confirmed their commitment to increasing support for Ukraine over the coming months. They agreed that resisting Russian aggression is crucial for European and global security [1, 2]. Zelenskiy highlighted that the combined pressure from Ukraine's military advances and sanctions is pushing Russia toward diplomatic engagement [1, 2].
The meeting and Zelenskiy's address both took place on May 22. The Ukrainian president is now awaiting concrete proposals from the United States on the structure and timing of peace talks to move negotiation efforts forward [1, 2].
