Ukrainian President Zelensky believes his Vatican meeting with US President Donald Trump successfully nudged the American leader to take a more aggressive stance towards Russian President Vladimir Putin. Following the meeting with Zelensky, Trump suggested he could add more sanctions on Russia. 

According to two sources familiar with the 15-minute conversation on Saturday, Zelensky told Trump that he would have to put more pressure on Putin to get a deal, and the American leader responded positively to the Ukrainian President’s position. 

After the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social, “There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days.” He added, “It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!”

The Telegraph on Sunday reported that the meeting during Pope Francis’s funeral occurred at the behest of Trump. The Axios article, published on Wednesday, noted that Zelensky’s advisers were initially hesitant to take the meeting after the last conversation between the two leaders ended in the infamous Oval Office argument. 

The sources speaking with Axios said Saturday’s discussion went better as Vice President JD Vance and envoy Steve Witkoff were not present. 

As Trump appears to be taking a tougher stance towards Russia, he seems ready to sign a mineral agreement with Kiev. The Washington Post says it reviewed the latest draft of the deal, which affirms a “long-term strategic alignment” between the two countries and US “support for Ukraine’s security, prosperity, reconstruction, and integration into global economic frameworks.”

Some outlets are reporting that deal can be signed as early as Wednesday; however, officials familiar with the negotiations said Ukraine is attempting to make last-minute changes to the agreement, which could lead to the Americans walking away.