President Trump and Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy met privately forward of the funeral of Pope Francis and “had a very productive discussion,” the White Home mentioned Saturday. The White Home mentioned extra particulars of the assembly could be shared later.
Mr. Trump on Saturday was amongst greater than 50 heads of state and different dignitaries attending the funeral of Pope Francis, the place he was personally paying his respects to the Roman Catholic chief who pointedly disagreed with him on quite a lot of points.
Trump arrived on the Vatican along with his spouse, first girl Melania Trump. When Zelenskyy arrived for the ceremony, the gathered crowd broke out in applause.
Nathan Howard / REUTERS
Mr. Trump advised reporters on Friday as he flew to Rome that he was going to the funeral “out of respect” for the pontiff, who died Monday after struggling a stroke on the age of 88.
Francis sharply disagreed with Mr. Trump’s strategy on points together with immigration, the therapy of migrants and local weather change. The Argentine pontiff and the American president sparred early of their relationship over immigration. In 2016, Francis, alluding to then-candidate Trump and his marketing campaign slogan of “Build the wall,” known as anybody who builds a wall to maintain out migrants ” not Christian.” Mr. Trump mentioned the remark was “disgraceful.”
However after Francis’ loss of life, the Republican president praised him as a “good man” who “worked hard” and “loved the world.” Mr. Trump additionally directed that U.S. flags be flown at half-staff in Francis’ honor.
Nathan Howard / REUTERS
Mr. Trump had mentioned on a few events earlier than leaving Washington that he would have “a lot” of conferences with counterparts on the sidelines of the funeral. However he appeared to again away from that as he flew to Rome.
“Frankly, it’s a little disrespectful to have meetings when you’re at the funeral of a pope,” the president advised reporters accompanying him aboard Air Power One. Nonetheless, Mr. Trump mentioned, “I’ll be talking to people. I’ll be seeing a lot of people.”
Mr. Trump didn’t elaborate when requested if he’d simply be assembly leaders in passing or holding extra in-depth talks. He urged he may need conferences at Villa Taverna, the U.S. ambassador’s residence, the place he spent the evening.
“It’s a little tough because we don’t have much time,” Mr. Trump mentioned, noting his late arrival in Rome. He was scheduled to move again to america instantly after the funeral.
“I think that we’re going to try and see a couple of people that are important in what we’re doing,” mentioned Mr. Trump, who’s making an attempt to dealer a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and negotiate commerce agreements with a number of international locations.
He posted on Reality Social shortly after arriving in Rome that Ukraine and Russia ought to meet for “very high level talks” on ending the bloody three-year struggle sparked by Russia’s invasion. His envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier Friday, and Trump mentioned each side have been “very close to a deal.”
Zelenskyy arrived in Rome on Saturday to attend the funeral, becoming a member of Ukraine’s first girl Olena Zelenska. Putin didn’t attend.
Aaron Navarro and
contributed to this report.
