Trump and Zelensky Meet Before Pope Francis’ Funeral
Trump and Zelensky Meet Before Pope Francis’ Funeral
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met face-to-face for the first time since their infamous Oval Office spat in February. They were attending Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, though it is unclear exactly when they met.
Neither Ukrainian nor White House officials gave many details on the meeting; however, White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said the leaders had "a very productive discussion."
Zelenskyy later tweeted that the meeting was "very symbolic" and could potentially be "historic."
In February, Zelenskyy abruptly left the White House after getting into an argument with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. Zelenskyy later told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier on "Special Report" that the incident was "bad for both sides."
This meeting comes as peace talks between Russia and Ukraine appear to be at a standstill with Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin making competing demands.
"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 wrote on Truth Social after arriving in Rome on Saturday.
Trump has criticized both leaders in separate posts on Truth Social. On Thursday, Trump demanded Putin "stop" strikes on Kyiv and said he was "not happy" with the Kremlin for continuing attacks on Ukraine. The day before, on Wednesday, Trump blasted Zelenskyy after he said that Ukraine would not recognize Russian control over Crimea, which Putin invaded in 2014.
Putin so far has rejected several U.S. proposals for a peace deal, but the White House remains optimistic about Trump’s ability to end the war.
"This war is endable. Both sides just have to agree to it," Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday. He also said there were "good meetings over the weekend," which were presumably focused on ending the conflict.
Trump has said that he is sticking to his own "deadline" for achieving peace and added that he believes there is "a very good chance of getting [a deal] done."
Army Suspends Blackhawk Flights to Pentagon After New Scare
May 6, 2025
2 min
Newark Airport Lost Radar and Radio Communication with Pilots for 90 Seconds
May 6, 2025
3 min
Brian Kemp Won’t Run for US Senate in 2026
May 6, 2025
2 min
Trump to Super-Charge Deportations Using Local Cops
May 6, 2025
2 min
Mike Myers, Michael B. Jordan First Celebs Named in Diddy Trial
May 6, 2025
3 min
Trump Bans Federal Funding for Gain-of-Function Research
May 6, 2025
1 min
Signal Clone Used by Govt Officials Hacked
May 6, 2025
4 min
Trump Offers Illegal Aliens $1,000 to Self Deport
May 5, 2025
1 min
Israel to Capture All of Gaza, Officials Say
May 5, 2025
1 min
Trump Announces 2027 NFL Draft Will Be in Washington
May 5, 2025
1 min
Mike Pence Receives JFK Courage Award for Jan 6
May 5, 2025
3 min
DOGE, Treasury Discover $334M in Improper Payment
May 5, 2025
2 min
Trump Orders 100% Tariff on Foreign-Made Movies
May 5, 2025
2 min
Antarctica Gains Ice for First Time in Decades: Study
May 5, 2025
1 min
Virginia GOP Rocked by Gay-Porn Scandal
May 5, 2025
3 min
Putin, Xi to Sign 'Series' of Deals in Moscow Summit
May 5, 2025
2 min
Trump Orders Reopening of Alcatraz Prison
May 5, 2025
2 min
Update: Israel Readying Massive Response to Houthis and Iran After Airport Missile Attack
May 5, 2025
1 min
Mexico President Rejects Trump Offer to Send Troops to Stop Drug Cartels
May 5, 2025
2 min
Dozens Rescued from Sinking Yacht Off Miami Beach
May 5, 2025
<1 min