Trump hails meeting with Zelenskyy, disappointed with Russia; Zelenskyy hints operations continue in Kursk region
US President Donald Trump says he believes his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vatican went well.
Speaking to reporters in the eastern US state of New Jersey on Sunday, Trump said, “We’ll see what happens over the next few days.”
On Saturday, Trump and Zelenskyy held their first face-to-face talks at the Vatican since they met at the White House in February. The meeting ended in a heated argument.
Trump described Zelenskyy as “calmer.” He said: “I think he understands the picture. And I think he wants to make a deal.”
Trump also referred to Russia. He said he was “very disappointed” that Moscow continued to conduct drone and missile attacks on Ukraine while ceasefire talks were underway.
Asked what punitive action he is considering taking against Russia, Trump replied: “I have a lot of things I can do. I’m not looking to do it, but I have a lot of strength.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his country’s forces are still conducting operations in the western Russian region of Kursk contrary to
Moscow’s earlier claim it had fully retaken the territory.
Zelenskyy posted a social media message on Sunday, saying active defensive operations are underway in Kursk and Belgorod.
The president urged the world to put more pressure on Moscow. He noted the frontline situation and the Russian army’s activities prove the current level of pressure is insufficient to bring about the war’s end.
The Ukrainian military released a report with a map of the region on Sunday.
The map points out areas the military says it has taken. The report noted Ukrainian units have blocked Russian attacks 15 times.
This came a day after the chief of the general staff of the Russian armed forces Valery Gerasimov claimed in a briefing that the last settlement in Kursk had been “liberated” from Ukraine’s units.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio appeared on Sunday on a US TV program.
He said peace talks need to start. Rubio added this week will be critical, as Washington could decide whether it wants to continue to be involved.
The secretary was asked about new sanctions against Russia. He replied this is still not the time.
