Sure! Here’s a rewritten version in American English:
ROME: Former US President Donald Trump has indicated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin "needs to be approached differently" following a heartfelt meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Pope Francis’s funeral.
After their discussions in the tranquil St. Peter’s Basilica, Trump expressed skepticism regarding Putin’s intentions for peace, accusing him of ongoing missile attacks targeting civilians.
Zelensky shared that they talked about a possible unconditional ceasefire with Russia, expressing hope for outcomes from "a highly symbolic meeting that could become historic."
This encounter was the first between the two leaders since a contentious exchange at the White House in February, and upon leaving Rome, Trump hinted at a new strategy in dealing with the Russian president.
"There was no justification for Putin to fire missiles into civilian areas and towns in recent days," Trump stated on his Truth Social platform. "This makes me question whether he truly wants to end the conflict. He may just be stringing us along and needs to be handled differently—perhaps through financial measures or secondary sanctions. Too many lives are at stake!"
The lingering conflict overshadowed Francis’s funeral. During the service, Russia claimed its forces had "fully liberated" the border region of Kursk. However, Ukraine insisted that its military continued to operate in the area, which it hopes to leverage in future negotiations.
‘Very Productive Discussion’
Images released by the Ukrainian presidency captured Trump and Zelensky engaged in deep dialogue, leaning forward in a corner of the basilica, as the pope’s wooden coffin lay before the altar.
"We had an in-depth one-on-one discussion," Zelensky posted on X. "I hope for positive outcomes from everything we covered, including protecting our people’s lives and establishing a full, unconditional ceasefire leading to a stable peace that will avert further wars."
An aide to Zelensky characterized the meeting as "constructive," while the White House called it "a very productive discussion."
Trump departed Rome immediately after the funeral mass, and no further conversations ensued. However, he and Zelensky also briefly met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Exchanges were described as "positive," with Macron later meeting Zelensky for a private discussion. Starmer and Zelensky also spoke about recent positive developments.
‘You Can Count On’ EU
Zelensky also met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. "Europe will always stand with Ukraine in pursuing peace," von der Leyen stated in a post on X. "You can rely on our support at the negotiating table for a fair and lasting peace."
In St. Peter’s Square, Trump mingled with a multitude of world leaders, many eager to discuss the tariffs he had implemented. However, it was his meeting with Zelensky that attracted the most attention, as he seeks to facilitate a peace agreement.
Prior to the funeral, both sides had kept the possibility of the encounter ambiguous, with Trump labeling it "possible." Tensions had escalated since Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky in the Oval Office on February 28, accusing him of ingratitude regarding the billions of dollars in US military aid provided since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Blame Game
While urging Putin to halt Russia’s advances, Trump has recently shifted some blame onto Zelensky for the continued conflict and suffering.
Russia initiated an extensive invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, resulting in countless fatalities. Trump has pushed Zelensky to make concessions, including acknowledging that Crimea, seized by Moscow in 2014, will remain part of Russia in any agreement to end the war.
After arriving in Rome, Trump claimed there had been progress in discussions and encouraged both Russian and Ukrainian leaders to meet. "They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should meet at high levels to finalize it," he posted on Truth Social. "Most of the major issues are already agreed upon."
On Friday, Putin discussed the "potential" for direct negotiations with Ukraine during a meeting with Witkoff, according to a Kremlin aide. He expressed that Russia was ready to resume talks "without preconditions," the Kremlin announced on Saturday. This meeting followed the death of a senior Russian general, killed in a car bomb blast near Moscow.
Few Meetings
Trump, accompanied by his wife Melania, was on his first foreign trip of his second term, positioning him at the center of a substantial diplomatic event involving about 50 heads of state, including 10 reigning monarchs, and Britain’s Prince William.
This trip occurred against the backdrop of his earlier imposition of sweeping tariffs that unsettled European allies, although he has since temporarily backed down from the most stringent measures.
Trump greeted von der Leyen, and the two agreed to meet, according to an EU spokesperson. Other leaders also sought Trump’s attention.
One notable absence was Joe Biden, Trump’s predecessor, who attended the funeral independently with his wife Jill, seated five rows behind Trump. Historically, previous presidents have brought their predecessors along on Air Force One for papal funerals.
Official Vatican photographs captured Trump and Melania visiting the closed coffin in St. Peter’s Basilica. Dressed in a dark blue suit with a tie, Trump and Melania, wearing a black veil, took front-row seats for the service. Trump had mentioned that any meetings would be brief, stating, "Honestly, it feels somewhat disrespectful to convene discussions during the funeral of the pope."
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