During a meeting at the Vatican, Zelensky requested Trump to intensify his approach towards Putin, according to Axios.
Rewritten Article:
In a casual run-in at Pope Francis' funeral, President Volodymyr Zelensky took the opportunity to discuss Ukraine's situation with U.S. President Donald Trump, urging a stronger stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin and advocating for a definitive ceasefire, according to Axios' sources unveiled on April 30.
The impromptu chat, which took place on April 26 within the holy walls of St. Peter's Basilica, saw Zelensky pushing Trump to re-adopt his initial call for an unconditional ceasefire as the foundation for peace talks, a suggestion that Kyiv has backed but Moscow has dismissed - insisting on a complete standstill on military aid to Ukraine.
The meeting marked the first in-person conversation between the leaders since their fiery encounter in the Oval Office in February, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance lambasted Zelensky over what they deemed a lack of gratitude for U.S. support.
Critics view Trump's proposal for a peace accord between Ukraine and Russia as inclining toward Moscow while putting more weight on Kyiv's shoulders. The Vatican rendezvous seemed to be a potential fresh start.
Post-discussion, Trump posted a critical tweet about Putin on his Truth Social platform, reacting to a massive Russian air raid on Kyiv.
"It makes me think that maybe he doesn't want to end the war, he's merely stalling and needs to be tackled differently, perhaps through economic sanctions?" Trump wrote during his flight back to the U.S.
According to Axios, Zelensky's advisers briefly debated the feasibility of the meeting given the fallout from the heated Oval Office confrontation in February. In the end, the conversation within the Basilica proved constructive, as both sides confirmed after the exchange.
A source claimed that Trump suggested Zelensky may need to reassess his approach to Putin and refrained from pressuring Ukraine to acknowledge occupied Crimea as Russian territory, emphasizing that such recognition would stem from the U.S., not Ukraine.
Illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, the Crimean Peninsula held a disputed referendum under military occupation and without international observers, a move widely condemned. Proposals involving formal U.S. recognition of Crimea as Russian territory have raised alarms in Kyiv and among Western officials.
Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksandr Merezhko told the Kyiv Independent that such a move would be "far worse than Munich in 1938," a nod to the appeasement of Nazi Germany. Merezhko viewed official U.S. recognition as a "serious breach" of international law, potentially undermining global norms on sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Axios reported that during the Vatican meeting, Zelensky reaffirmed his openness to compromise, but he insisted on solid security assurances before making any concessions.
Enrichment Data:
Key Points:
- Policy Stance on Ukraine and Ceasefires: During his tenure, Trump's administration generally supported Ukraine's sovereignty but often advocated for diplomatic solutions. However, specific information on his personal stance on ceasefires during a hypothetical meeting might not be evident if he hasn't made recent public statements on the matter.
- Vatican's Role in Diplomacy: The Vatican has played a part in diplomatic endeavors worldwide, including Ukraine. A meeting at the Vatican could influence diplomatic strategies, yet the specific outcomes would depend on the discussions' nature.
- Trump's Approach to Putin: Trump has historically been open to improving relations with Russia and Putin, although his administration imposed sanctions on Russia. His approach to Putin has sparked controversy and debate within U.S. politics.
Current and Past Developments:
Since this scenario involves speculative meetings and actions, it's important to consider the following:
- Historical Context: Trump's presidency was marked by both engagement and tension with Russia, particularly concerning Ukraine.
- Current Situation: As of my last update in 2023, the ongoing situation in Ukraine and U.S.-Russia relations continue to evolve.
For the most updated and accurate information, it is advisable to refer to recent news sources or official statements from Trump or his representatives regarding any meetings or policy changes related to Ukraine and Russia. If you have specific details or updates regarding these events, providing them would help shape a more precise response.
- In the Vatican, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky urged U.S. President Donald Trump to re-adopt his initial call for an unconditional ceasefire as a foundation for peace talks, citing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, a suggestion that Kyiv has backed but Moscow has dismissed.
- At Pope Francis' funeral, Zelensky and Trump had a conversation within St. Peter's Basilica about Ukraine's situation, with Zelensky pushing Trump to adopt a stronger stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin, a discussion that followed from the ongoing war-and-conflicts and politics.
- Trump suggested that Zelensky may need to reassess his approach to Putin during their discussion at the Vatican, citing the need for a definitive ceasefire in war-and-conflicts, according to sources unveiled on April 30.
- Following the Vatican meeting, general news outlets reported that Zelensky reaffirmed his openness to compromise, but he insisted on solid security assurances before making any concessions, a stance that reflects Ukraine's position in war-and-conflicts and politics.
