Zelenskyy Reports Trump Changed Ukraine Stance Post-Vatican Meeting

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that after a recent 15-minute meeting at the Vatican, former U.S. President Donald Trump has started to view the Ukraine conflict differently, with both leaders agreeing that a 30-day ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow is the correct first step toward peace. Zelenskyy described the meeting as their most constructive yet and emphasized that sanctions against Russia were discussed, noting Trump's strong response to this topic. The White House characterized the meeting as very productive, and it was the first direct contact between the two leaders since a contentious February Oval Office encounter. Zelenskyy rejected Russia's proposals for short-term ceasefires as insufficient for meaningful negotiations, reiterating the need for an unconditional 30-day truce. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department announced it would no longer directly mediate Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations, citing Moscow’s unwillingness to commit to a ceasefire and indicating a shift in U.S. diplomatic strategy.