During the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, the US and Ukrainian presidents held a brief meeting to discuss a ceasefire and security guarantees. Trump suggested intensifying negotiations, but expressed doubts about Putin's sincerity. The US position remains unstable: Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the next week critical for Washington's decisions.
The United States and Donald Trump
During the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, the US and Ukrainian presidents had a brief but productive meeting. They discussed the ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump called for a high-level meeting to finalize the peace deal, noting that most of the main points had already been agreed upon.
After his meeting with Zelenskyy, Trump also expressed doubts about Putin's intentions to end the war, suggesting that the Russian leader might be deceiving him and expressing disapproval of Russia's recent shelling of Ukrainian cities. It was also has expressed that perhaps Putin should be dealt with differently, through "banking operations" or "secondary sanctions.
The United States expressed its willingness to support the European coalition to secure peace in Ukraine by providing intelligence and logistical support.
Trump also publicly assured, that the United States would not withdraw from the process of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, despite the difficulties. He stressed the importance of achieving a sustainable peace.
However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the next week as "critical" in terms of whether the United States should continue to participate in the peace process. Rubio added that "there are reasons for optimism, but of course there are reasons for realism. We are close, but not close enough." According to Rubio, a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine should be reached in the near future.
Ukraine and Volodymyr Zelenskyy
President Zelensky invited Trump to visit Ukraine, in order to see the consequences of the war with his own eyes. He stressed that such a visit would help the American leader to better understand the situation.
Zelensky also said, that the meeting with Trump in Rome has the potential to become historic if joint results are achieved. Also in Rome, Zelensky met with French President Emmanuel Macron. The main topics of discussion were increasing sanctions pressure on Russia and providing Ukraine with additional air defense systems. russia and the war russia has changed the tactics of its attacks on the front lines, focusing on nighttime strikes with drones. It launched nearly 150 drones over Ukraine after the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting.
Russia and the war
russia has changed the tactics of its assaults on the frontline, focusing on nighttime attacks with drones. It launched almost 150 drones across Ukraine after the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the peace deal proposed by the United States was moving in the right direction, but needed to be adjusted.
Point of view
US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham recalled a bill that would impose additional sanctions on Russia, including secondary duties on oil, gas and uranium imports.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and Director of the Eurasia Center at the Atlantic Council John Herbst said, that the Trump administration is repeating a mistake by flirting with the idea of resetting relations with Russia, which could lead to negative consequences for Ukraine.
Author: Inna Mikhno