By Olivier Acuña Barba •
Revealed: 26 Apr 2025 • 18:07
• 3 minutes learn
Potential historic assembly takes place between Trump and Zelensky on the Vatican | Picture: Ukraine Press
Donald Trump and Volodomyr Zelensky held a short one-on-one assembly on the Vatican proper earlier than attending Pope Francis’ funeral. The Ukrainian president mentioned the chat may show ‘historic.’ And whereas the US president insists a peace deal may be very shut, his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, says his armed forces are prepared to achieve Ukraine.
Though casting doubt on Putin’s willingness to finish the struggle via a post on Fact Social after leaving the Vatican, Trump mentioned he believes Russia and Ukraine are “very near a deal. Many of the main essential factors are agreed to.”
Nevertheless, he first blamed former President Joe Biden for the struggle and former President Barack Obama for Russia’s Crimea annexation. “That is Sleepy Joe Biden’s Struggle, not mine,” he mentioned. “It was a loser from day one, and will have by no means occurred, and wouldn’t have occurred if I had been President on the time.” He went on to say: “I’m simply making an attempt to scrub up the mess that was left to me by Obama and Biden, and what a large number it’s.”
“With all of that being mentioned, there was no cause for Putin to be taking pictures missiles into civilian areas, cities, and cities over the previous couple of days,” Trump added. “It makes me assume that perhaps he doesn’t need to cease the struggle, he’s simply tapping me alongside, and must be handled otherwise, by ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?” Too many individuals are dying!!!”
Trump would possibly change his thoughts about Putin
Trump’s phrases may recommend a shift in his stance towards Putin, whom he beforehand praised, whereas condemning Zelensky and even calling him a dictator.
The assembly between the US and Ukrainian leaders was their first face-to-face encounter since February on the Oval Workplace when issues turned bitter.
Zelenskyy expressed satisfaction with the assembly with Trump, throughout which they mentioned the protection of the Ukrainian individuals, an unconditional ceasefire, and lasting peace that might carry an finish to the struggle.
Zelenskyy’s spokesman advised information reporters in Rome that the assembly with Trump had lasted about quarter-hour, however that each leaders had agreed to satisfy once more afterward Saturday. Nevertheless, the assembly didn’t happen in Rome due to conflicting schedules.
‘Putin lies’ when chatting with Individuals
French President Emmanuel Macron recently wrote on X: “When he speaks to the Individuals, President Putin says: I would like peace. But he continues to bomb Ukraine and kill civilians. He should cease mendacity and provides a transparent reply: does he comply with a ceasefire?”
This Saturday, Macron on X said he had a “very constructive alternate with” Zelensky. He additionally mentioned, “Ukraine is prepared for an unconditional ceasefire. President Zelensky reiterated this to me. Now it’s as much as Putin to show he actually desires peace.”
Russia violates Polish airspace once more
Additionally, this Saturday, the Polish armed forces launched an official statement on X, accusing Russia of violating its airspace for a second time this yr.
“The character of the incident signifies that Russia is testing the readiness of our air protection methods,” mentioned the navy assertion. “The helicopter’s flight was noticed over the Baltic Sea.” On February eleventh of this yr, a Russian Su-24MR reconnaissance plane violated Polish airspace over the japanese a part of the Gulf of Gdańsk.
Putin says ‘neo-Nazi’ regime defeat is nearer
In Moscow, Putin claimed his navy had lastly expelled Ukrainian forces from Kursk, the final Russian village they’d been holding, according to Russia’s state-owned company TASS. It additionally confirmed that North Korean troopers had fought in Kursk alongside Russian forces.
The next phrases by Putin don’t seem like from somebody who aspires to a peace take care of Ukraine: “The enemy’s full rout within the borderline Kursk Area creates circumstances for additional profitable operations by our troops in different main frontline areas and brings the defeat of the neo-Nazi regime nearer.”
Kyiv denied that its forces had been expelled from Kursk and said that they had been nonetheless working in Belgorod, one other Russian area bordering Ukraine, Reuters reported.
