US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Rome forward of Pope Francis’ funeral, as confirmed by the White Home on Saturday.
“President Trump and President Zelensky met privately in the present day and had a really productive dialogue,” mentioned White Home Communications Director Steven Cheung, including that extra particulars concerning the assembly will observe.
“Good assembly. We mentioned quite a bit one-on-one. Hoping for outcomes on every thing we coated. Defending the lives of our individuals. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Dependable and lasting peace that may forestall one other struggle from breaking out. Very symbolic assembly that has the potential to develop into historic, if we obtain joint outcomes. Thanks, President Donald Trump,” Zelensky posted on X after the assembly.
This was the primary in-person assembly between the leaders for the reason that February Oval Workplace showdown, throughout which Trump accused Zelensky of not being sufficiently grateful or respectful of the US’s assist.
In the meantime, the fourth assembly between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Particular Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff befell for the reason that begin of the yr on Friday in Moscow. Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov has mentioned that the dialog, which lasted three hours, was constructive and fairly helpful.
Earlier this week, President Trump slammed Zelensky, saying the Ukrainian chief’s assertion on Crimea is “very dangerous to the Peace Negotiations with Russia”.
This time, the Trump-Zelensky conflict was over Crimea, with the US President satisfied that the area needs to be thought of as Russian territory, whereas Zelensky refused to agree with him, reiterating that Ukraine will stand agency on its core ideas, Xinhua information company reported.
“No one is asking Zelensky to recognise Crimea as Russian Territory but when he desires Crimea, why did not they combat for it eleven years in the past when it was handed over to Russia with out a shot being fired?” Trump wrote on Wednesday in a publish on Fact Social
“It is inflammatory statements like Zelenskyy’s that make it so troublesome to settle this Conflict. He has nothing to boast about,” wrote Trump, including that “The state of affairs for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or he can combat for one more three years earlier than dropping the entire nation.”