Stand behind Ukrainian independent journalism when it’s needed most. Help us reach 20,000 members.

Skip to content
Edit post

Meloni, Trump meet in Washington, discuss Ukraine ceasefire, US tariffs

by Volodymyr Ivanyshyn April 17, 2025 11:47 PM  (Updated: ) 2 min read
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office at the White House on April 17, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details about the desire to secure a full ceasefire in Ukraine within weeks

U.S. President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met in Washington on April 17 to discuss a "just and lasting peace" for Ukraine and U.S. tariffs imposed on the EU.

"We have been defending the freedom of Ukraine together," Meloni told reporters in the Oval Office with Trump.

"We’re going to be hearing from (Russia) this week, very shortly, actually, and we’ll see. But we want (Russia's war) to stop. We want the death and the killing to stop," Trump said.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are meeting in Paris on April 17 to discuss Ukraine. The U.S. has largely shut Europe out of Ukraine peace talks, raising alarm among European officials.

According to Bloomberg, U.S. officials in Paris expressed a desire to secure a full ceasefire in Ukraine within weeks, as part of a renewed push to end Russia’s war.

Citing unnamed sources familiar with the talks, the publication said the officials were optimistic about achieving significant progress soon. Participants reportedly agreed to coordinate efforts toward that goal.

Meloni called for the U.S. and Europe to work together and stop Russia's war against Ukraine to establish a "just and lasting" peace.

Trump said he's not a "big fan" of President Volodymyr Zelensky. The two leaders got into a heated argument in the White House on Feb. 28.

"I'm not blaming him, but what I am saying is that I wouldn't say he's done the greatest job... I am not a big fan," Trump added.

Trump reiterated previous claims that Russia's war against Ukraine would not be happening if he were in power.

"I don’t hold Zelensky responsible (for Russia's war), but I’m not exactly thrilled with the fact that that war started. That was a war that would have never started if I were president," Trump claimed.

Meloni called for the West to cooperate, receiving agreement from Trump.

"The goal for me is to make the West great again, and I think together we can do that," Meloni said, with Trump adding, "We can."

Meloni has invited Trump to visit Italy amid the 20% tariffs Trump has imposed on the EU, including Italy.

"I cannot lock this deal in the name of the European Union... My goal would be to invite President Trump to pay an official visit to Italy and understand if there’s a possibility when it comes to organize also such a meeting with Europe," Meloni said.

‘Territories are first and foremost people:’ Zaporizhzhia, Kherson residents anxiously watch Witkoff debate the land they live on
Zaporizhzhia — During what would usually be evening rush hour in Zaporizhzhia, cars move easily through main streets that were once choked with traffic. As the shadows grow longer, soldiers calmly remove camouflage netting from the air defense weapons they’ll man against Russia’s deadly attacks unti…

Independent journalism needs a community —
not a paywall.

We’re working hard to show the world the truth of Russia’s brutal war — and we’re keeping it free for everyone, because reliable information should be available to all.

Our goal: reach 20,000 members to prove independent journalism can survive without paywalls, billionaires, or compromise. Will you help us do it?

Can we reach 20,000 members?

News Feed

10:10 AM

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 7, injure 39 over past day.

Ukrainian forces downed 26 out of the 90 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Thirty drones were intercepted by electronic warfare or disappeared from radars without causing any damage, according to the statement.
9:21 AM

NATO expansion 'fair' concern for Putin, Kellogg says.

"And that's one of the issues Russia will bring up... They're also talking about Georgia, they're talking about Moldova, they're talking — obviously — about Ukraine. And we're saying, 'Okay, let's address this comprehensively,'" U.S. President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Keith Kellogg said.
3:08 PM  (Updated: )

US filmmaker injured by fallen balcony in Kyiv.

"While missiles and drones are flying, we are being injured by balconies due to someone's irresponsibility!" Christopher Walters, the injured U.S. filmmaker, said on social media.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
Explaining Ukraine with Kate Tsurkan
* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.