During the meeting in the Vatican, the two presidents discussed mineral agreements, sanctions against Russia, and air defense systems, says Zelenskyj and Ukrainian and international media.
I believe we had our best conversation. It may have been the shortest, but the most substantial, says Zelenskyj at a meeting with journalists.
Zelenskyj believes that Donald Trump's view has begun to change since their last meeting, which took place on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral. The meeting was the first between them since a disputed and agitated meeting at the White House on February 28.
I am convinced that President Trump after our meeting in the Vatican began to see things in a slightly different way. We'll see. It's his view, his choice, says the Ukrainian.
New sanctions?
Volodymyr Zelenskyj said, according to Ukrainian media, that they discussed the possibility of imposing new sanctions against Russia:
I raised the issue of American sanctions. I won't go into details, but what he told me sounded like something very powerful.
Russia has previously declared a new and unilateral ceasefire with Ukraine, which according to the Kremlin will apply from May 8 to 10.
Zelenskyj dismisses the three-day ceasefire, but emphasizes once again that Kyiv is ready for a complete ceasefire, according to AFP.
Furthermore, Ukraine's president says that his country will not "play games to create a pleasant atmosphere when Putin leaves his isolation on May 9".
The Kremlin has announced the ceasefire with reference to the so-called Victory Day, when one commemorates the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II and remembers the millions of soldiers who fell. In Russia, it takes place on May 9, including a large military parade in Moscow where foreign dignitaries are invited.
Warns Moscow visitors
This year, it is 80 years since the war ended, and some international leaders are expected in Moscow. Among them are China's Xi Jinping, Belarus' Alexander Lukashenko, Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro, and possibly also North Korea's Kim Jong-Un. The only head of government from the EU is Slovakia's Robert Fico.
When Volodymyr Zelenskyj dismisses the ceasefire, he adds that Ukraine's government "cannot guarantee the security" for those who choose to visit Moscow, without developing:
Our stance is simple towards all countries that have or will travel to Russia in connection with May 9. We cannot take responsibility for what happens on the territory of the Russian Federation. They guarantee your security.
