Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome on Sunday, as the U.S. continues to push for a breakthrough in stalled peace negotiations with Russia. The meeting was held at the U.S. ambassador’s residence and followed a series of inconclusive talks between Ukraine and Russia, which have failed to produce a comprehensive ceasefire agreement despite a recent prisoner exchange of 1,000 individuals. Both sides have expressed willingness to continue discussions, but progress has been slow, with officials warning that more time is being wasted in diplomatic channels rather than addressing the urgent need for a resolution.
Rubio, who recently participated in Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural mass, indicated that the Vatican has offered to host future peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, as well as other parties. He emphasized that the Vatican’s offer represents a significant opportunity, as it is seen as a neutral venue where all parties could feel comfortable. However, Rubio also noted that the U.S. is