For the first time since the dispute at the White House, Zelenskyy met with Vance in Rome

In Rome, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US Vice President J.D. Vance for the first time since the politicians' dispute at the White House in February. Suspilne reports on the new meeting.

The event was also attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The meeting between representatives of Ukraine and the United States lasted approximately 40 minutes and ended at around 4:20 p.m.

UPDATED. Zelenskyy published details of the meeting with Vance and Rubio in Rome and called it "good."

The politicians discussed the talks in Istanbul, where the Russians sent a low-level delegation that had no decision-making authority, the president noted.

Zelenskyy confirmed to the American side that Ukraine is ready for real diplomacy, and also stressed the importance of a complete and unconditional ceasefire as soon as possible.

"We also touched on the need for sanctions against Russia, bilateral trade, defense cooperation, the situation on the battlefield, and the future exchange of prisoners. Pressure on Russia must continue until it is ready to stop the war. And, of course, we discussed our joint steps to achieve a just and sustainable peace," the head of state said.

Judging by the photo, in addition to Zelenskyy, the meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak.

This is the first meeting between Zelenskyy and Vance since the Ukrainian president clashed with Vice President and US President Donald Trump at the White House in February. Earlier, on the sidelines of the funeral of the previous Pope Francis on April 26, Zelenskyy and Trump met for the first time since that conflict in the Oval Office.

Zelenskyy and Vance participated in the inaugural mass of the new pontiff Leo XIV, and during the celebrations, the politicians, smiling, shook hands.

• On May 17, Trump said he hoped to establish a ceasefire on May 19 and announced phone calls with dictator Putin, President Zelenskyy, and NATO partners.

• US Secretary of State Rubio, in a telephone conversation, conveyed to Kremlin Foreign Minister Lavrov a "strong message" from Trump regarding the United States' commitment to a lasting end to Russia's war against Ukraine.

• A top US diplomat said that the US Senate will pass a bill on additional sanctions against Russia if no progress is made in negotiations to end the war over Moscow.