Zelenskyy Meets U.S VP, Seeks Real Negotiations For Peace In Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday reaffirmed Ukraine’s commitment to “real diplomacy” with Russia and called for a full and unconditional ceasefire during a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Rome.
In a statement following the talks, Zelenskyy urged world leaders to mount pressure on Russia, which has maintained its aggression on Ukraine since February 2022.
“I reaffirmed that Ukraine is ready to be engaged in real diplomacy and underscored the importance of a full and unconditional ceasefire as soon as possible,” Zelenskyy said on X.
He added that Russia’s delegation to recent talks in Istanbul consisted of “low-level” representatives without decision-making power.
“Pressure is needed against Russia until they are eager to stop the war,” he said.
The talks covered a range of issues, including bilateral trade, defence cooperation, the battlefield situation, and an upcoming prisoner exchange.
“Thank you to all American people for the support and leadership in saving lives,” he added.
The meeting comes ahead of a scheduled phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, expected Monday.
Trump has pledged to end the “bloodbath” in Ukraine, following the first direct talks between Ukraine and Russia in over three years, which failed to produce a ceasefire.
A senior Ukrainian official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the meeting in Rome was “better” than the tense Oval Office encounter in February, where Vance accused Zelenskyy of being “disrespectful” toward Trump.
The official said Zelenskyy and Vance also discussed the upcoming Trump-Putin call, the potential for new sanctions if the talks yield no progress, and ways to achieve a ceasefire.
“The message is the same as before: we want to end the war, and they don’t,” the official added.
Earlier in the day, Zelenskyy met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican and thanked the Holy See for offering to serve as a platform for future negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
Zelenskyy Meets U.S VP, Seeks Real Negotiations For Peace In Ukraine is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
