Trump and Zelensky held talks at the Vatican ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral
Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of the Pope’s funeral today, Vatican sources have said.
The pair have also agreed to hold further talks after paying their respects to Pope Francis at the Vatican, Sky News reports.
A senior official in Kyiv said meetings between the pair in Rome is ‘possible’.
The last time they met, their conference quickly descended into a shouting match unforeseen on the world stage, before which saw Trump yelling at Zelensky to make a deal with Russia or count the US out.
Noticeably absent from the Pope’s funeral today is Vladimir Putin – his absence is likely due to the International Criminal Court’s warrant for his arrest.
Trump in a Truth Social post afterward began that he had a ‘very meaningful meeting’ and then blasted Zelensky.
‘Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure,’ wrote Trump.
‘It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations.
‘I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.’
But earlier this week, the US suggested they might ‘move on’ from peace talks if progress wasn’t made.
President Donald Trump added: ‘Now, if for some reason, one of the two parties makes it very difficult, we’re just going to say you’re foolish. You are fools, you horrible people.
‘And we’re going to just take a pass. But hopefully, we won’t have to do that.’
Trump previously claimed he could end the war between Russia and Ukraine ‘within 24 hours’.
Trump said last month that he was ‘being a little bit sarcastic’ in his remarks.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance struck a more hopeful tone in Rome a few weeks ago before he spoke with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
‘I won’t prejudge them [negotiations], but we do feel optimistic that we can hopefully bring this war, this very brutal war, to a close.’
Technology & Business Editor
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