Trump, Zelensky Discuss Ceasefire, Peace Deal at Pope's Funeral

During the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican, Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky held a significant private meeting, their first since a contentious Oval Office encounter in February. Zelensky pressed Trump to adopt a tougher stance on Russia and advocated for an immediate ceasefire, a position Trump reportedly expressed willingness to support. Trump, in turn, pushed for the signing of a US-Ukraine mineral deal, which was formalized shortly after their discussion and is seen as crucial for Ukraine’s future military and reconstruction aid. The meeting is viewed as a pivotal moment, with observers noting that Zelensky’s appeals appeared to influence Trump’s perception of Vladimir Putin, leading Trump to publicly identify Russia as the primary obstacle to peace. Lawmakers present at the funeral, including Sen. Mike Rounds, emphasized the importance of Zelensky reaffirming his commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty and peace amid ongoing Russian aggression. The encounter has been described as historic, with the potential for lasting impact on US-Ukraine relations and the broader diplomatic approach to the Russo-Ukrainian war.