Rome, Apr. 26, (dpa/GNA) – US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a “very productive discussion” on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral service in the Vatican, the White House said on Saturday.
Further details about the talks will be announced later, it added.
The pair have not met in person since their historic Oval Office showdown in February, during which Trump and US Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful and of prolonging the war.
Trump has taken a tough line with Kiev since taking office, scaling back long-term military support for Ukraine and pressuring Zelensky to reach a swift peace deal, even if it includes territorial concessions.
In an interview with Time magazine published on Friday, Trump reiterated his position that the Crimean Peninsula should remain under Russian control as part of a settlement.
“Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelensky understands that,” he said.
The peninsula was annexed by Moscow in 2014 in violation of international law. For his part, Zelensky continues to insist that Crimea and other territories conquered by Russia remain Ukrainian.
The meeting in Rome came after Trump said late on Friday that an agreement on a ceasefire was “very close” after talks between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
The talks between Putin and Witkoff were described by a Kremlin adviser as “constructive and quite useful,” according to Russian news agency Interfax.
The three-hour meeting reportedly focused on prospects for a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine, including the possibility of direct talks between Kiev and Moscow.
Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said that Russia remains open to such negotiations but insists that Zelensky must first revoke a decree prohibiting direct talks with the Kremlin.
In his evening video message on Friday, Zelensky mentioned meetings aimed at bringing about a ceasefire, without providing further information.
According to media reports, Kiev is working on a counterproposal to the US plans for ending the war, which leaves room for possible compromises.
Zelensky continues to push for security guarantees from the United States to complement the proposed military presence from European allies, despite Washington’s refusal.
“We definitely want them to be strong, at least as strong as the Israeli ones,” the president told journalists in Kiev before departing for Rome.
“Even where there are European troops, we are talking about backing from the United States of America,” he emphasized.
He said he had told Trump this backing did not necessarily require US troops in Ukraine, adding that cooperation between intelligence services, defence against cyber attacks and air defence had been discussed.
He also reiterated his demands for the delivery of additional Patriot air defence systems manufactured in the US.
Raw materials agreement pending
The US president is also hoping to complete a raw materials agreement with Kiev.
The agreement would give the United States access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, particularly rare earths, which are crucial for high-tech industries.
A memorandum of understanding on the deal was signed by both sides last week. The document said that the text of the final agreement was to be concluded by Saturday, April 26.
It was uncertain whether a signing could take place on Saturday, or what the status of the deal is.
For Ukraine, the deal represents a bid to secure the US as a long-term protective ally, which the Trump administration has not agreed to.
GNA
PDC