Politics
Trump, Zelensky Have ‘Productive’ Discussion Ahead Of Pope Francis’ Funeral
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, had a “very productive discussion” ahead of Pope Francis’ funeral on Saturday morning, marking the first time the two world leaders had met face-to-face following a contentious Oval Office meeting just about two months ago.
“President Trump and President Zelenskyy met privately today and had a very productive discussion,” White House communications director Steven Cheung said following the meeting. Cheung added that additional details about the meeting would be forthcoming.
Zelensky’s office released a number of photos from the meeting, which took place inside the picturesque St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The two men could be seen huddled closely together as they conducted talks without any aides present.
“Good meeting. We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered,” Zelensky said of the meeting in a social media post.
“Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results.”
Officials from Zelensky’s delegation said the meeting lasted about 15 minutes, adding that both sides have agreed to continued discussions.
Photo: Ukrainian Presidency
Saturday’s meeting was the first time the two leaders had met since a February Oval Office meeting that ended abruptly the Ukrainian leader suggested that failure to defend Ukraine would result in national security challenges for the United States. The remark drew a sharp rebuke from President Trump, who ended the meeting and told reporters that there would not be another one for the foreseeable future.
Zelensky has also agreed to sign, then reneged on an economic agreement that would allocate a portion of the nation’s minerals sector to the United States as backpay for the more than $100 billion in aid provided to date. The Ukrainian president has stated that he would sign a minerals deal on four separate occasions before backing out every time, further exasperating frustration from the Trump Administration.
Saturday’s meeting appears to suggest that talks are back on the table, however. President Trump told reporters earlier in the week that the administration would be engaging in talks with both Russia and Ukraine over the weekend, with hopes that both sides will feel urgency to put an end to the conflict.
“Just landed in Rome. A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine. They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off,'” the president posted to Truth Social on Friday night. “Most of the major points are agreed to. Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!”
Trump went on to admonish Zelensky over his ever-shifting commitment to signing an economic agreement in a follow-up post. “Ukraine, headed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not signed the final papers on the very important Rare Earths Deal with the United States. It is at least three weeks late. Hopefully, it will be signed IMMEDIATELY,” he wrote.
The administration has also criticized Zelensky for inflammatory remarks made ahead of another round of talks scheduled for London, including the claim that Ukraine would not recognize Russian control over Crimea, which was taken over by the Kremlin following a referendum nearly a decade ago. A return of Crimea — which has been a part of Russia since the 18th century — is seen as completely unfeasible by any honest geopolitical analyst.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US special envoy Steve Witkoff then canceled plans to attend the London talks, which ended without a deal. Trump called Zelensky’s remarks “very harmful” to the peace negotiations and said they would only “prolong the ‘killing field.’”
