The assembly earlier than Pope Francis’s funeral was their first since an indignant encounter in Washington, DC, in February.
United States President Donald Trump and Ukrainian chief Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a “very productive” assembly within the Vatican, a White Home official stated – their first since a tense Oval Office meeting in February this yr.
The 2 leaders, leaning in shut to one another whereas seated in St Peter’s Basilica, spoke for about quarter-hour on Saturday, in keeping with Zelenskyy’s workplace, and pictures of the assembly launched by Kyiv and Washington.
“President Trump and President Zelenskyy met privately immediately and had a really productive dialogue. Extra particulars concerning the assembly will comply with,” White Home communications director Steven Cheung stated.
Zelenskyy’s chief of workers, Andriy Yermak, described the 15-minute assembly as “constructive”, however didn’t give extra particulars.
The 2 leaders had been within the Vatican to attend the funeral of Pope Francis. Their assembly got here as US efforts to barter an finish to the Ukraine-Russia conflict face growing challenges.
Trump sanctions menace
After the funeral service, Trump boarded Air Drive One and departed Rome. Whereas within the air he printed a social media submit during which he took a tricky tone on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“There was no cause for Putin to be capturing missiles into civilian areas, cities and cities, over the previous few days,” Trump posted on his Reality Social platform. Twelve folks had been killed on Thursday when a missile fired by Russia hit a Kyiv house block.
“It makes me suppose that possibly he doesn’t need to cease the warfare, he’s simply tapping me alongside, and needs to be handled in another way, by ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many individuals are dying!!!” Trump wrote.
The submit was a departure from Trump’s normal rhetoric which has seen the hardest criticism directed at Zelenskyy, whereas he has typically spoken positively about Putin.
In a submit on social media platform Telegram, Zelenskyy wrote: “Good assembly. One-on-one, we managed to debate lots. We hope for a consequence from all of the issues that had been spoken about.”
He stated these matters included: “The safety of the lives of our folks. An entire and unconditional ceasefire. A dependable and lasting peace that may forestall a recurrence of warfare.”
Zelenskyy added: “It was a really symbolic assembly that has the potential to turn out to be historic if we obtain joint outcomes. Thanks, President Donald Trump!”
No aides in sight
Zelenskyy’s workplace launched photographs of the assembly, providing a uncommon glimpse into the personal talks. In a single {photograph}, the 2 leaders sat reverse one another in a grand marble corridor, leaning in intently as they conversed.
No aides appeared alongside them.
One other picture from the identical setting exhibits the Ukrainian president standing in a good circle with the US president, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy had been on full show throughout their final assembly when the Ukrainian president confronted criticism from Trump and Vice President J D Vance over what they noticed as an absence of gratitude for American help. A US reporter additionally accused Zelenskyy of disrespect for not carrying a go well with.
Trump, who has pushed each Moscow and Kyiv in direction of a ceasefire, stated on Friday that talks between his envoy and Russian officers had been “productive,” urging a direct assembly between the 2 sides to finalise an settlement.
Nonetheless, divisions have emerged between Washington’s proposals and the positions of Kyiv and its European allies. One main sticking level is a US proposal for authorized recognition of Crimea as Russian territory, a transfer Ukraine and European nations strongly oppose.
Disputes additionally stay over the timing of sanctions aid for Moscow, the character of safety ensures for Ukraine and the way Kyiv can be compensated financially.
