President Zelensky emphasized the importance of U
S. support in the context of the war and described his recent meeting with Vice President Vens and Secretary of State Rубіо in Rome as successful. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday, during a meeting with high-ranking U.S. officials at his Rome residence, called the meeting “good” and constructive. According to the head of state, the discussions went far beyond formalities and touched on key aspects of Ukrainian-American cooperation amid the war. Details of this important meeting were published by Zelensky himself via his Telegram channel, and sources report that it served as further confirmation of Washington’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. The conversation centered on the results of negotiations in Istanbul on May 15, focusing on diplomatic solutions and ways to end the war. Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s readiness for active diplomacy, calling on the world to quickly and unconditionally cease hostilities: “We believe that it is time for constructive steps from all interested parties. Time does not wait — action must be taken now to stop the bloodshed.” The head of state also highlighted the importance of sanctions against Russia, as they directly influence the cessation of aggression and stabilization of the situation in the region. The agenda also included issues of bilateral trade, strengthening defense cooperation, and current frontline problems. Equally important to Zelensky is the issue of prisoners exchange, which should symbolize not only humanitarian progress but also diplomatic progress. “We emphasize that pressure must continue until Russia admits its guilt and stops the war,” stated the Ukrainian leader. According to him, one of the main tasks is to continue building an international support front to force Moscow to sit at the negotiating table and find a fair solution to end the suffering of the Ukrainian people. Zelensky sincerely thanked the American people for their targeted support and leadership in the fight to preserve lives and territorial integrity. Prior to this meeting, on Sunday, the Ukrainian president visited the Vatican, where Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass took place. It was there, at the beginning of the day, that he shook hands with the U.S. Vice President and Secretary of State as part of official ceremonies. Like previous contacts, this meeting became yet another indication of Kyiv’s active diplomatic course aimed at garnering international support during Ukraine’s most challenging period in modern history. Last month, Zelensky already drew international attention with his trip to the Vatican, where he met with U.S. colleagues — President Donald Trump. The White House described this short but meaningful meeting as “very productive,” and the Ukrainian leader spoke about the prospects it opened for further Ukrainian-American relations. Considering all these contacts, Kyiv demonstrates notable persistence in conveying its position to the international community and in striving for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis, while remaining prepared to resist escalation. Overall, Ukrainian-American contacts are gaining increasing importance in the context of the war. Zelensky continues to call on the world for active action and support, because only united efforts can stop Russian aggression and ensure long-term peace in the region. At the same time, he emphasizes that diplomacy remains one of the main tools in achieving this goal.