JD Vance meets Zelensky in Rome after both attend Pope Leo XIV’s first mass

Following Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass in Rome, Vice President JD Vance met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday to discuss efforts to end the war in Ukraine. This meeting was their first extended conversation since their tense encounter at the White House in February.

Earlier in the day, the two briefly greeted each other with a handshake at the Vatican before engaging in a more formal discussion at the US ambassador’s residence, as reported by the Independent. A spokesperson for Vance confirmed the meeting, stating that discussions covered various topics, including the situation on the front lines, a potential phone call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the consideration of sanctions against Russia if progress is not made.

The Ukrainian official described the meeting as more positive compared to the February encounter in Washington, where Trump had asked Zelensky to return when he was ready for peace before abruptly dismissing him from the White House. White House officials revealed that despite Ukrainian requests to reset the meeting, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz insisted on Zelensky leaving the premises, citing his perceived disrespectful behavior during the encounter.