By Darlene Superville, Associated Press
Rome (AP) – President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gathered briefly on Saturday before Pope Francis’ funeral while the American chief intensified the pressure to end the Russia war against Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s office said the teams made arrangements to leave the leaders left on Saturday, but Trump went directly to Rome airport after the funeral and went on Air Force One for the 10-hour flight to the United States, which seemed to exclude a second conversation in person.
The White House said that their discussion was “very productive” and that more details would be published later. The meeting lasted about 15 minutes inside the Saint-Pierre basilica at the Vatican just before taking a seat for the outdoor funeral.
Zelenskyy declared a “good meeting” on social networks after the funeral.
“We have discussed a lot of one against one. Hoping for results on everything we have covered. Protect the life of our people. A complete and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from bursting,” he wrote. “Very symbolic meeting which has the potential to become historic, if we obtain joint results. THANKS.”
The meeting took place for hours after Trump declared on social networks, after his arrival in Italy on Friday evening, that Russia and Ukraine should meet for “very high level talks” to end the three -year war triggered by the invasion of Russia.
Trump pressed both parties to accept a ceasefire. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had met Russian president Vladimir Putin earlier Friday in Moscow, and Trump said that the two parties were “very close to an agreement”.
Putin did not attend Francis funeral. He faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, which accused him of war crimes arising from the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow.
Meanwhile, in a statement on Friday evening, Zelenskyy said that “very important meetings could take place” in the coming days and that an unconditional ceasefire was necessary.
“A real pressure on Russia is necessary so that they accept either the American proposal to stop pulling and heading towards peace, or our proposal-depending on what we can really work and ensure a reliable, immediate and unconditional cease-fire, then-a peace and guarantees of worthy security,” he said.
“Diplomacy must succeed. And we do everything to make diplomacy really significant and finally effective. ”
There was no immediate word about the question of whether Trump and Zelenskyy spoke again after paying tribute to the Pope, who had repeatedly pressure on the conflict.
Originally published:
California Daily Newspapers
