Zelenskyy says Vatican meeting marked turning point in relationship with Trump
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that a brief face-to-face meeting with US President Donald Trump at St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City in April 2025 marked a turning point in their relationship.
Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with American far-right blogger and close Trump ally Laura Loomer, part of which Trump shared on Truth Social, as reported by European Pravda
Details: Zelenskyy was asked about the heated confrontation in the Oval Office in 2025, when US Vice President JD Vance suggested giving Trump's diplomacy a chance to end the war, and Zelenskyy responded that diplomatic efforts with Russia had failed since 2014.
The interviewer then asked what had changed, noting that relations between the two presidents now appeared to have improved significantly.
"You are right, the tone has changed – absolutely. We had our first changing moment in Rome, at the Vatican. Yes, it was not a long meeting, but I always said that I think it was a historic moment, because we changed the relationship in 15, 20 minutes," the Ukrainian president said.
Zelenskyy said no one else had been present during the meeting.
He said he would not disclose the details of the conversation but stressed that a relationship built on trust between the two leaders was of great importance.
"I'm so happy, because a lot of lives depend on such relations and dialogue," the president concluded.
Background:
- Trump said after the argument with Zelenskyy that the Ukrainian leader had "overplayed his hand" and wanted to continue the war, while Russian leader Vladimir Putin was supposedly ready for peace.
- The Oval Office spat prompted expressions of support for Zelenskyy from key European allies, including France and Germany
- A few days ago, Zelenskyy announced he would possibly visit the US, where he expects to hold meetings with American officials.
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