Zelenskyy says He Discussed Russia Sanctions with Trump at Pope’s Funeral

KIEV, Ukraine ​(AP) — Ukrainian President Volodimir‍ Zelenskyy ​stated‍ Saturday​ that he and former U.S. ⁢President ⁤Donald Trump⁢ discussed potential new‌ sanctions against Russia ⁢during a recent meeting. The meeting occurred on April 26 on‍ the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral.

‘Best Conversation’⁤ with Trump

Speaking at a press conference in ⁣Kyiv, Zelenskyy described ⁢the exchange ⁢as positive. “I think I had the best conversation with President Trump⁢ to⁤ date,” Zelenskyy saeid, according⁤ to the Ukrinform agency. He added, “I raised the question of U.S. sanctions.I will not go into details, but what Trump ⁤told me was very ‌blunt.”

US-Ukraine‍ Economic Agreement

Zelenskyy also addressed​ a​ recently signed ⁣economic agreement between the U.S. and Ukraine. ‍The agreement still requires ratification by the Ukrainian Parliament. Zelenskyy voiced confidence ‍that⁢ the legislature woudl approve ⁣the deal.

He acknowledged some​ opposition among deputies. He urged them to ‌reconsider thier rejection, emphasizing that Ukraine’s security hinges‌ on the‌ agreement.

U.S. Aid Package

The ‌Ukrainian president highlighted that the U.S. Congress has approved $15 billion in aid for Ukraine this year. A similar amount is planned⁢ for 2026.

Zelenskyy said ⁢the agreement with Washington​ could‌ expedite the receipt‍ of funds allocated for 2026.‌ These funds are part of ⁢the U.S.‍ contribution ‍to the Investment Fund⁣ for Reconstruction.

Call for ​Extended Cease-fire

Turning to the ⁤topic of a proposed truce with Russia,⁢ zelenskyy dismissed Moscow’s announced ‌three-day‍ cease-fire​ as‌ insufficient. He advocated for a ⁤longer period⁢ to facilitate ⁢meaningful peace negotiations.

“Let’s try ‍a high 30-day fire. Why 30 days? as it is indeed unfeasible to reach an agreement in ‍three,five or seven days,” he explained.

Zelenskyy suggested that Russian President Vladimir putin’s offer of a ‍brief truce appeared to⁢ be ‍a symbolic gesture intended‍ to create a peaceful atmosphere⁤ in Moscow for the May 9 celebrations, rather ⁤than⁢ a genuine effort to negotiate.

“This means that the Russians attack you until May 7, they⁢ have⁢ two‍ or⁣ three days of calm, ⁣and then ‌throw you missiles on ​the​ 11,” he said.

Zelenskyy concluded that a 30-day cease-fire would provide Kyiv with greater confidence‍ in Moscow’s willingness to⁢ engage in dialog. ‍While acknowledging the ⁣challenges of⁣ monitoring ⁢a truce, he‌ urged that the effort be ⁤made, provided there is‌ political will on both sides.