The White House called this morning’s 15-minute meeting at the Vatican between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine’s acting president Volodymyr Zelenskyy “very productive,” without further comment. Whatever occurred, Zelenskyy pushed for a followup meeting with Trump after the funeral service for Pope Francis and, apparently, Trump left Zelenskyy hanging.
Ukraine’s presidential spokesman Serhiy Nykyforov first told reporters: “The leaders agreed to continue their discussions today. Teams are working on organizing the continuation of the meeting.” And Britain’s Sky News reported, citing “Vatican sources,” that the two agreed to continue their discussion after the ceremony concluded. Later, Nykyforov said the meeting did not come about, citing the two leaders’ tight schedules and Trump having to head off to the airport.
However, Sky News cheekily commented on Nykyforov’s version: “Given Trump’s quick return to the airport following the service, it’s not a surprise he didn’t see Zelenskyy again after their meeting in St. Peter’s Basilica, but Sky News understands he did have time for a short chat with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.”