By Catherine Lucey and Daryna Krasnolutska
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he’s hopeful for a “reliable and lasting peace” after meeting one-on-one with Donald Trump, who later questioned whether Russia’s Vladimir Putin genuinely wants to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump and Zelenskiy huddled for about 15 minutes at the Vatican on Saturday just before the funeral for Pope Francis — a sign of Trump’s eagerness for a peace deal by April 30, the 100-day mark of his second term. He has been dialing up pressure for a deal that critics say may favor Russia in his bid to end Europe’s longest conflict since World War II.
“We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered,” Zelenskiy said on X. “Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results.”
While the White House called the discussion “productive,” Trump later criticized the Russian president in a social media, saying Putin may be stalling to avoid ending the war and suggesting further sanctions might be needed.
There was “no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas” in recent days, Trump posted while en route back to the US. “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions’?”
Good meeting. We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to… pic.twitter.com/q4ZhVXCjw0
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 26, 2025
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
