Trump intensifies pressure on Zelensky amid Vatican meet
The presidents of the United States and Ukraine, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, plan to meet on Saturday after the funeral ceremonies for Pope Francis. The White House confirmed that the leaders also spoke before the ceremonies began.
Main points
- Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky met in the Vatican.
- The discussion was productive, but details have not been disclosed.
- Trump and Zelensky plan another conversation after the ceremonies.
U.S. President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Vatican, where both leaders attended the funeral of Pope Francis. According to Steven Cheung, White House Director of Communications, the conversation was very productive. The details of the meeting are to be revealed at a later date.
President Trump and President Zelensky met privately today and had a very productive discussion, stated Steven Cheung, White House Director of Communications.
Sky News television, citing its sources, reported that the leaders are set to meet again after the conclusion of the funeral ceremony.
Trump pressures Ukraine
According to information provided by "The Times," Trump threatened to withdraw from the peace process if no agreement is reached regarding the war in Ukraine. Pressure on President Zelensky to accept American peace terms is mounting. The U.S. proposal, presented by envoy Steve Witkoff, includes recognizing Russian control over Crimea and other territories in the east and south of Ukraine.
In a conversation with "Time" magazine, Trump stated that "Crimea will stay with Russia," blaming Kyiv for the outbreak of the war. President Zelensky emphatically rejects the possibility of legally recognizing the occupation of Crimea, emphasizing that it would be contrary to the constitution of Ukraine.
