President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held their first in-person discussion since a reported disagreement in the Oval Office this past February. The meeting occurred while both leaders were in Rome attending Pope Francis’ funeral, though the specific timing of the interaction is unknown.
Details regarding the meeting have been scarce from both Ukrainian and White House representatives. However, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung characterized the discussion between the two presidents as “very productive.”
President Zelenskyy later suggested on Twitter that the meeting held “very symbolic” importance and could potentially prove “historic.”
The meeting follows an incident in February when Zelenskyy reportedly left the White House prematurely following a dispute with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Zelenskyy described the prior incident as “bad for both sides” in a later interview with Bret Baier on “Special Report.”
This meeting occurs as peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are seemingly stalled, with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Putin presenting conflicting demands.
Following his arrival in Rome on Saturday, Trump stated on Truth Social, “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.’ 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 has publicly criticized both Zelenskyy and Putin in separate posts on Truth Social. On Thursday, Trump urged Putin to halt strikes on Kyiv, expressing his dissatisfaction with the Kremlin’s continued attacks on Ukraine. The day prior, on Wednesday, he criticized Zelenskyy after the Ukrainian president stated that Ukraine would not acknowledge Russian control over Crimea, which Putin’s forces invaded in 2014.
Despite Putin’s rejection of several peace proposals from the U.S., the White House remains optimistic about Trump’s capacity to bring an end to the conflict.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, “This war is endable. Both sides just have to agree to it.” He mentioned “good meetings over the weekend,” presumably centered on resolving the conflict.
Trump has affirmed that he is adhering to his own “deadline” for achieving peace, expressing confidence in “a very good chance of getting [a deal] done.”
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