US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met privately in Rome before Pope Francis' funeral, the White House confirmed on Saturday.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung called the meeting "very productive," but said more information would be provided later. "Good meeting. We talked a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we discussed.". Saving lives of our citizens. Unconditional and full ceasefire. Trustworthy and sustainable peace that will not allow a new war to erupt. Very symbolic meeting with the potential to become historic, if we gain common outcomes. Thank you President Donald Trump," Zelensky posted on X after the call.
This was the two leaders' first direct encounter since their acrimonious February Oval Office meeting, during which Trump scolded Zelensky for lacking sufficient appreciation of the US assistance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, meanwhile, conducted his fourth such meeting this year with US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow on Friday. Kremlin Aide Yury Ushakov termed the three-hour meeting as useful and productive.
Earlier during the week, Trump had strongly criticized Zelensky's remarks about Crimea as being "very harmful to the Peace Negotiations with Russia."
Their misunderstanding was about Crimea, where Trump was insisting on the territory belonging to Russia while Zelensky maintained the position that Ukraine would never concede its claim of territory. From Xinhua news agency, Zelensky confirmed the position of Ukraine regarding Crimea and insisted it would not recognize Russian control of the territory.
Nobody is requesting Zelensky to accept Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he desires Crimea, why did they not fight for it eleven years ago when it was transferred to Russia without a bullet being fired?" Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday.
Trump also attacked Zelensky, stating, "It's inflammatory language like Zelenskyy's that makes it so hard to resolve this War. He has nothing to brag about. The crisis for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the entire country."
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