Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Rome’s Ukrainian President Volodmia Zelenkie for ongoing peace negotiations as a war. Russia and Ukraine continue.
“During the discussion, we discussed negotiations in Istanbul with where the Russians sent a low-level mandate of non-decisive manufacturers. We reaffirmed that Ukraine is ready to engage in real diplomacy, and emphasized the importance of a complete and unconditional ceasefire as soon as possible.”
“We also touched on Russia, bilateral trade, defence cooperation, the situation on the battlefield, and the need for sanctions on future prisoner exchanges. Pressure is needed against Russia until they desperately want to stop the war. And of course, we spoke about joint measures to achieve fair and durable peace,” he continued.
Zelenskyy talks with Trump, after Russian peace speaks broker, allies
Vatican City, Vatican, May 18: Ukrainian President Voldy Mie Zelensky (L) and US Vice President J.D. Vance (R) await the arrival of Pope Leo XIV for the masses celebrating the bishop’s inauguration at St. Peter Square in the Vatican on May 18, 2025.
This weekend, world leaders gathered in Rome for Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass held in the Vatican on Sunday. Zelenskyy also attended the mass.
The meeting comes after Russian and Ukrainian officials held their first direct peace negotiations over many years in Istanbul last week. However, neither side was able to reach a ceasefire agreement due to the war that has been raging since February 2022.
A few hours after the meeting, a Russian drone strike hit a passenger bus Northeast Ukraine Saturday.
Trump says Putin is “tired” from the Russian-Ukraine war
Russia And Ukraine Despite not reaching a ceasefire, they agreed to a massive prisoner exchange during last week’s meeting.
president Donald Trump On a four-day tour of the Middle East on Friday, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and said he hopes to discuss the war “as soon as we set it up.”
Ukrainian President Voldy Mir Zelensky (c) will be greeted by US Vice Presidents JD Vance (R) and Send Lady Ushavance before the Holy Mass for the start of Pope Leo I in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican on May 18, 2025 (Jakkinmartin/Pool/Pool/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POAM/POPMY) (Photo)
Trump added in Saturday’s Truth Social Post that he will talk to Putin on the phone on Monday. Another call for Zelensky and NATO leaders continues as the US continues to work to mediate peace agreements between the two countries as a resistance to negotiations.
“I will be on the phone to Russian President Vladimir Putin at 10am on Monday. The calling subject will stop the “blood bath” killing on average over 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers,” Trump said. Posted in his true society Saturday.
Rome, Italy – May 18: From left, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, US Vice President JD Vance, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission Chairman Ursula von der Leyen posing before a meeting at the Chigui Palace, held in Rome, Italy on May 18, 2025. US Vice President J.D. Vice President of the Vatican is in Rome to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV. (Photo: Jacquelyn Martin -Pool/Getty Images) (Getty Images)
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“Hopefully it’s a productive day, a ceasefire has come, and this very violent war, a war that should never have happened,” Trump said. “God blesses us all!!!”
Landon Mion of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
