Russia, Ukraine may hold technical talks in Vatican next week - Finnish president

HELSINKI. May 22 (Interfax) - Russian and Ukrainian delegations may hold technical talks in the Vatican next week, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said.

The negotiations "are likely to take place next week," Stubb told the Finnish television and radio broadcaster Yle.

The United States has not refused to mediate the negotiations, while the participation of European states in the ceasefire negotiations is intensifying, Stubb said.

Russia welcomes the readiness and efforts of countries willing to contribute to the Ukraine conflict resolution, but the venue of further negotiations has yet to be chosen, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.