Trump met Ukraine

President Trump and the president of Ukraine, Zelenskyy, met privately before Pope Francis’s funeral And “he had a very productive discussion,” said the White House on Saturday.

A spokesman for the Ukraine government described the “constructive” meeting and said that the two leaders were working to organize another. In a statement on social networks, Zelenskyy said it was a “good meeting.”

“We argue a lot one by one,” said Zelenskyy. “Waiting for results in everything we cover. Protecting the life of our people. The high full and unconditional fire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from being exploited. Very symbolic meeting that has the potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you @potus.”

The Ukraine presidential press service published images of the meeting, as well as an image of a meeting between Trump, Zelensky, French president Emmanuel Macron and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer.

Mr. Trump is trying to negotiate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine. Russia launched a large -scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, after sending first troops east of Ukraine in 2014. He left Italy to return to the United States shortly after the conclusion of the service in the Basilica of San Pedro.

The president on Saturday was among more than 50 heads of state and other dignitaries who attended the funeral of Pope Francis, where he was personally presenting his respects to the Roman Catholic leader who did not agree with him in a variety of issues.

He also briefly met Prince William of Great Britain, BBC News Network BBC News reported.

Trump arrived at the Vatican with his wife, the first lady Melania Trump. When Zelenskyy arrived at the ceremony, the crowd gathered exploded in applause.

Trump told journalists on Friday when he was flying to Rome that he went to the funeral “out of respect” to the Pontiff, who died on Monday after suffering a stroke at the age of 88.

Francis did not agree with Mr. Trump’s approach on issues that include immigration, the treatment of migrants and climate change. The Argentine pontiff and the US president appeared early in their relationship on immigration. In 2016, Francis, alluding to Trump candidate and his campaign slogan of “Build The Wall,” called anyone who builds a wall to prevent migrants from “not Christians Noan.” Trump said the comment was “shameful.”

But after Francis’s death, the Republican president praised him as a “good man” who “worked hard” and “loved the world.” Mr. Trump also ordered that US flags be flown in the middle of the staff in honor of Francis.

Trump had said on a couple of occasions before leaving Washington that he would have “many” meetings with counterparts outside the funeral. But he seemed to get away from that while flying to Rome.

“Frankly, it is a bit disrespectful to have meetings when you are at the funeral of a Pope,” the president told journalists who accompany him aboard Air Force One. However, Mr. Trump said: “I will be talking to people. I will see many people.”

Mr. Trump did not explain when asked if he would simply meet with leaders in approval or holding more conversations in depth. He suggested that he could have meetings in Villa Tavena, the residence of the United States ambassador, where the night spent.

“It’s a bit difficult because we don’t have much time,” Trump said, pointing to his late arrival in Rome. It was scheduled to return to the United States immediately after funeral.

“I think we are going to try to see a couple of people who are important in what we are doing,” said Trump, who is trying to negotiate a high fire between Russia and Ukraine and negotiate trade agreements with multiple countries.

He published in Truth Social shortly after arriving in Rome that Ukraine and Russia should meet for “very high level conversations” by putting an end to the bloody three -year war caused by the invasion of Russia. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on early Friday, and Trump said both parties were “very close to an agreement.”

Zelenskyy arrived in Rome on Saturday to attend funeral, joining the first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska. Putin did not attend.

Aaron Navarro and Haley Ott contributed to this report.

In:
• Pope Francis
• Rome
• Vatican City
• Ukraine
• Trump administration
• Volodymyr Zelenskyy