Trump, Zelenskyy Have Their First Encounter Since White Home Conflict

Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met on Saturday — their first encounter since a heated trade on the White Home two months in the past.

The 2 leaders held a dialogue inside St. Peter’s Basilica, forward of the Pope’s funeral, with French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer current through the preliminary moments.

Zelenskyy and Trump had not met since their heated trade within the Oval Workplace on February 28, during which Trump mentioned of Ukraine’s battle in opposition to Russia, “You are both going to make a deal or we’re out.”

4 days later, Trump introduced a pause in US army support, and the EU declared “an period of rearmament,” because it unveiled a protection funding increase.

The Oval Workplace assembly was within the glare of the world’s press, however photographs of the Rome assembly present Trump and Zelenskyy seated shut collectively, with out aides or interpreters.

Andrii Yermak, a senior aide to Zelenskyy, shared a photograph of the leaders in St. Peter’s Basilica on Telegram. “Constructive,” he wrote.

Steven Cheung, White Home communications director, referred to as it a “very productive dialogue.”

Posting X, Zelenskyy mentioned the encounter had been a “good assembly.”

“We mentioned rather a lot one on one. Hoping for outcomes on every little thing we coated. Defending lives of our individuals. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Dependable and lasting peace that can forestall one other battle from breaking out. Very symbolic assembly that has potential to turn into historic, if we obtain joint outcomes,” he mentioned.

The Rome assembly comes after Steve Witkoff, Trump’s designated peace envoy, travelled to Moscow for discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Kremlin advisor Yuri Ushakov mentioned the talks centered on “the potential of resuming direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.”

Following Witkoff’s return, Trump mentioned on Fact Social that “a lot of the main factors are agreed to” and {that a} cease-fire deal between Kyiv and Moscow was “very shut.”

As he ready to depart for Rome on Friday, Trump advised reporters that the talks had been “very fragile.” He has additionally warned that the US may halt its mediation efforts if a deal is not reached quickly.

After the assembly on Saturday, Zelenskyy was greeted with applause when he walked out of St Peter’s Basilica after paying his respects in entrance of the pontiff’s coffin.

Trump later wrote a protracted publish on Fact Social, during which he referred to as the battle in Ukraine “Sleepy Joe Biden’s Conflict, not mine. It was a loser from day one.”

The lengthy publish ended, “There was no purpose for Putin to be taking pictures missiles into civilian areas, cities and cities, over the previous couple of days. It makes me assume that possibly he does not need to cease the battle, he is simply tapping me alongside, and needs to be handled otherwise, via “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions?” Too many individuals are dying!!!”