Trump Signals Policy Shift on Putin in Vatican Meeting with Zelensky

By Staff, Agencies

During the funeral of Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Basilica last Saturday, former US President Donald Trump held a closely watched and unexpected face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.

The encounter marked their first since a contentious Oval Office meeting two months ago that ended with Zelensky storming out over disagreements related to the war with Russia.

While initial reports relied on lip readers and body language experts, new information reported by Axios sheds light on the private exchange. According to sources, Zelensky warned Trump that Vladimir Putin would not halt the invasion of Ukraine unless forced. In response, Trump reportedly admitted that he may need to reconsider his approach to Putin.

Following the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social expressing frustration with Putin over a missile strike in Kiev. “It makes me think that maybe he doesn't want to stop the war, he's just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions’? Too many people are dying!!!” he wrote.

Zelensky reportedly urged Trump to support an unconditional ceasefire as a basis for negotiations—his longstanding position—and according to Axios, Trump appeared to agree. However, Trump also pushed for Ukraine to finalize a mineral agreement with Washington, granting the US access to Ukraine’s valuable rare earth reserves.

Just days later, the US Treasury confirmed that it had signed a deal with Ukraine to establish a joint investment fund aimed at reconstruction. The agreement is viewed as a strategic move to secure future US military aid and deepen economic ties between the two nations.

Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced the deal on X, stating: “Together with the United States, we are creating the fund that will attract global investment into our country... [and] expand economic potential through equal cooperation and investment.” She added that the US may contribute air defense systems as part of the assistance.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal called the fund a “strategic deal” and praised it as a balanced and meaningful international partnership between Ukraine and the US.

The absence of controversial White House figures like Steve Witkoff and Vice President JD Vance—who previously antagonized Zelensky—may have contributed to the more productive atmosphere during the Vatican meeting.

In a follow-up interview with ABC News, Trump suggested that Putin might be “tapping me on a little bit,” but insisted that he still believes the Russian leader wants peace. Trump also stated that Zelensky could be willing to make a major concession by recognizing Russia’s annexation of Crimea in order to secure a lasting agreement with Moscow: “Oh, I think so,” Trump said.

Back in February, Trump floated the idea of accessing Ukraine’s mineral wealth as a form of repayment for the billions of dollars in US assistance, but talks stalled after the previously strained White House meeting.