Zelensky pushes Trump for more rigid stance on Putin
Volodymyr Zelensky used his 15 minutes with Donald Trump at the Vatican to urge him to take a stronger stance against Vladimir Putin and to reprioritize the ceasefire. This information comes from two sources familiar with the Saturday meeting, as reported by Axios.
What do you need to know?
- Meeting at the Vatican: Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump met in St. Peter's Basilica during the Pope's funeral ceremonies. The conversation lasted 15 minutes and was unplanned.
- Topics of discussion: Zelensky urged Trump to adopt a firmer stance against Vladimir Putin, emphasizing the need for greater pressure on Russia, according to Axios.
- Reactions and consequences: Trump suggested a potential change in approach towards Putin, which could impact future U.S. relations with Russia, as noted by the service.
Zelensky and Trump's quarter hour at the Vatican: what were the key discussion topics?
During the Vatican meeting, Volodymyr Zelensky focused on the need to increase pressure on Vladimir Putin.
Zelensky is said to have remarked that only increased pressure would make Putin back down—a statement that, according to sources cited by Axios, might have played a role in shifting Trump’s perspective on the Russian president.
The conversation took place in a calm atmosphere. The service noted that this could have been due to the absence of Trump's pro-Russia advisor, J.D. Vance.
Will the conversation bring changes in U.S. policy?
Zelensky proposed a return to the concept of an unconditional ceasefire as a starting point for peace talks.
According to sources referenced by Axios, this marked the initial proposal that was approved by Ukraine but turned down by Russia. Trump is believed to have supported the idea, potentially signaling a shift in the United States' approach to the war in Ukraine.
The White House neither confirmed nor denied this information.
Upon returning from Rome, Trump made a social media post in which he addressed Russian attacks on civilians. Axios comments on this as his growing concern about the Kremlin's actions.
"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?’ Too many people are dying!!!" – Trump wrote.
