Overview

• Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky held a private 15-minute meeting in Rome before Pope Francis's funeral, marking their first in-person interaction since February's Oval Office dispute.
• The White House described the meeting as 'very productive,' with Zelensky calling it 'symbolic' and expressing optimism for a full and unconditional ceasefire and lasting peace.
• Trump publicly cast doubt on Vladimir Putin's willingness to end the conflict, suggesting sanctions might be necessary to address continued Russian aggression.
• The meeting coincided with a deadly Russian missile strike on Kyiv, which killed 12 civilians and injured 87, underscoring the urgency of peace negotiations.
• No formal agreements were reached, though Trump proposed a high-level Russia-Ukraine summit to finalize a peace deal, while U.S. policy shifts, including potential recognition of Russian control over Crimea, remain contentious.