Russian drone strike Officials said nine people continued to be killed in Ukraine as the Vatican proposed to help both sides work to reach a peace agreement.
The Vatican strike and the Vatican proposal failed to generate a ceasefire in hours after Moscow and Kyiv held their first direct peace talks in a few years. Russian and Ukrainian officials met in Istanbul on Friday to try to reach a temporary ceasefire, but the negotiations ended in less than two hours Putin is a non-appearance.
President Trump said on social media on Saturday that he plans to talk to Putin on Monday. "The theme of the phone will be, stop 'Bloodbath', killing more than 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers a week on average and making transactions," Mr Trump wrote in all capital letters.
This is the first face-to-face conversation between the two sides since the early days Moscow in full invasion in February 2022 Ukraine.
"Bloody" continues
Zelenskyy said he had discussed the outcome of the Istanbul negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders from France, Germany, Britain and Poland.
On Saturday, Ukrainian officials said Russian drone hits a bus that evacuates civiliansROM killed nine people in the front line area of northeastern Ukraine.
According to local governor Oleh Hryhorov and the Ukrainian National Police, seven people were also injured in the attack on Bilopillia, about 6 miles from the Russian border. The Associated Press cannot independently verify the report. Moscow has no comments.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the attack as “intentional killing of civilians” and added on the telegram messaging app: “The Russians hardly realized what type of vehicle they hit.”
He expressed regret for the missed opportunity in the peace talks on Friday, saying: “Ukraine has long raised this point – to save lives, it is a full and unconditional ceasefire.”
Zelenskyy added: "Russia only retains the ability to continue killing."
Vatican updates provide help
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin repeats Vatican Negotiations in Istanbul It would be "tragic" to arrive at the ceasefire this week.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in Rome on Saturday, told reporters before meeting with Ukrainian Vatican Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who will discuss potential ways the Vatican can help.
When asked if the Vatican could be a peace agent, Rubio replied: "I won't call it a broker, but that's certainly - I think it's a place where both parties will feel comfortable."
"So we will talk about all of this, obviously always thanks to the Vatican for its willingness to play this constructive and positive role," Rubio said.
Secretary Rubio met with the Cardinal to discuss the urgent need to end the Russian-Ukrainian war, spokesman Tammy Bruce said in a statement. "He stressed the importance of continuing cooperation under Pope Leo XIV's new leadership," the statement said.
Election of Leo The first American pope in history on May 8took over Francis' appeal for peace in Ukraine at noon on the first Sunday in Ukraine as the pope's blessing. He called on all parties to do everything possible to achieve "real, just and lasting peace."
As the bishop of Peru, Leo calls the Russian war a "imperialist invasion" and vows this week to "do his best to make this peace prevail."
In a speech to Eastern Liturgical Catholics, including the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, Leo begged for a warring meeting and negotiation.
He said: "The Holy See is always ready to bring enemies face to face, face to face, and talk to each other so that people everywhere may find hope again and restore the dignity they deserve, the dignity of peace they deserve."