Meeting in Rome: Vance and Zelenskyy Focus on Ukraine's Ceasefire Talks

On May 18, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy convened in Rome, amidst efforts to navigate Complex diplomatic relations over the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Their meeting followed a tense exchange earlier this year at the White House that questioned their mutual respect amid broader geopolitical strife. The discussions took place after the inaugural mass of Pope Leo XIV, and also included Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to a statement from Vance's office, the primary focus was on the leaders’ shared aspiration for an end to the conflict and updates on ceasefire negotiations. Zelenskyy characterized the meeting as "good," signifying a shift in tone compared to their February encounter, where Vance expressed discontent with Zelenskyy’s approach, leading to a heated back-and-forth that involved former President Trump. The Ukrainian leader mentioned in a post, "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," highlighting the urgency of the discussions. This meeting precedes Trump’s upcoming calls on May 19 with both Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump had previous conversations with Zelenskyy in April, which occurred during Pope Francis' funeral. Trump has been vocal about encouraging both sides to pursue a ceasefire since the conflict began in 2022 with Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy advocates for a 30-day ceasefire, while Putin has indicated he prefers discussions to address specific terms prior to any truce. Recent negotiations held in Turkey concluded on May 16, marking the first dialogue between Ukraine and Russia since the initial stages of the war. These talks resulted in a prisoner exchange agreement, while further discussions are anticipated. Notably, Putin sent a lower-tier negotiating contingent to the Turkey talks, passing on Zelenskyy’s offer for a face-to-face meeting. Trump noted he does not foresee substantive progress until he can engage directly with Putin. In a recent interview, former Vice President Mike Pence urged Trump to take a stronger stance towards Russia, emphasizing the need for increased sanctions and military support for Ukraine. “President Zelenskyy has agreed to a ceasefire... and Vladimir Putin calls a meeting that he doesn’t show up for," Pence stated. During their stay in Rome, Vance and Rubio also engaged with European leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, to discuss trade, as the Trump administration is reportedly considering reciprocal tariffs on various nations.