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Trump admin updates: Vance meets with Zelenskyy in Rome

PHOTO: Pope Leo XIV talks to U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha after a Holy mass for the beginning of his pontificate, in St Peter's basilica in The Vatican, May 18, 2025.
2:45
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images
Prisoner exchange agreed upon, Ukraine requests Putin-Zelenskyy meeting
By Meredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, Emily Chang, Sarah Beth Hensley
Last Updated: May 18, 2025, 8:37 PM

Vice President JD Vance met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome on Sunday before a later meeting with the Italian and European Union prime ministers.

President Donald Trump announced he will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday before speaking with Zelenskyy on the war in Ukraine next week. Representatives from Ukraine and Russia held discussions on Friday.

The conversation follows Trump's first foreign trip of his second administration, visiting Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates throughout the week.

Latest headlines:

  • Vance discusses trade and NATO with allies in Rome
  • White House hasn't offered official statement on tragic weekend
  • Vance meets with Zelenskyy in Rome
Here's how the news is developing.

May 18, 2025 8:37 PM

Vance discusses trade and NATO with allies in Rome

After meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome on Sunday, Vance had talks with allies.

The vice president met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The focus of their conversations were to be on trade, Ukraine and NATO spending.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also joined the meeting.

PHOTO: Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni welcomes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Palazzo Chigi prior their meeting in Rome, May 18, 2025.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images
Italy's Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni welcomes European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Palazzo Chigi prior their meeting in Rome, May 18, 2025.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images

During his remarks, Vance discussed the relationship between Europe and the U.S.

“The individual countries within Europe are important allies of the United States. But of course, we have some disagreements, as friends sometimes do, on issues like trade and we also have many agreements and many things we can work on together and I’m looking forward to the conversation,” Vance said.

Later, Vance met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and was later joined by United Kingdom Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

A number of world leaders were in Rome this weekend for the inaugural Mass of Pope Leo XIV.

-ABC News’ Hannah Demissie


May 18, 2025 6:58 PM

White House hasn't offered official statement on tragic weekend

The White House is not offering any on the record statement in response to the weather disaster, Palm Springs explosion, or Brooklyn Bridge collision.

In response to a requests for comment, a White House official said Sunday the president spent Saturday working from the Oval Office and West Wing, talking to Cabinet members and monitoring the news, including the tornadoes and suspected bombing.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 16, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters
President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 16, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

The president remained out of view all day on Saturday and is golfing today.

-ABC News' Selina Wang, Katherine Faulders and Kelsey Walsh



May 18, 2025 1:13 PM

Vance meets with Zelenskyy in Rome

Vice President JD Vance is meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine in Rome. They are joined by Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, and Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

PHOTO: Pope Leo XIV talks to U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha after a Holy mass for the beginning of his pontificate, in St Peter's basilica in The Vatican, May 18, 2025.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images
Pope Leo XIV talks to U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha after a Holy mass for the beginning of his pontificate, in St Peter's basilica in The Vatican, May 18, 2025.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images

Earlier Sunday, Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass. The vice president will meet later Sunday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission.

-ABC News’ Hannah Demissie



May 18, 2025 3:59 AM

White House releases video of Trump's conversation with Edan Alexander following his release

The White House released a video of President Donald Trump speaking with American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander after he was released earlier this week after being held captive by Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023. In the video, Edan sits next to Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump's voice is heard on a speakerphone.

"I am very nervous talking to you, Edan, because you're a much bigger celebrity than I am," Trump started the phone conversation to reaction from the room.

PHOTO: TOPSHOT-ISRAEL-US-PALESTINIAN-CONFLICT-HOSTAGE
Kobi Gideon/GPO/AFP via Getty Images
This handout picture released by the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO) army shows newly-released Israeli-US hostage Edan Alexender reuniting with members of his family at Tel Aviv's Sourasky Medical Center on May 12, 2025.
Kobi Gideon/GPO/AFP via Getty Images

"Edan is the hottest celebrity in the world right now, but that's no way to become a celebrity, right? We'll do it a different way," he continued. "We're very honored. Wow, it's crazy."

Edan responded, "You’re the only reason I’m here. You saved my life."

Trump appeared fascinated in learning more about what Alexander had endured under captivity.

"How was it? Are you free to talk a little bit?" Trump asked, at which point Alexander instructed him that they were recording the conversation.

The president noted how Alexander's family became strong advocates for their son's release and regularly communicated with the president.

"You’re an American, and we love you, and we’re going to take good care of you. And your parents are incredible. I saw your mother. She was pushing me around a little bit. She was putting a lot of pressure on me," Trump closed.

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh


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