Trump admin updates: Vance meets with Zelenskyy in Rome

The vice president is to meet later with Italian and EU prime ministers.

ByMeredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, Emily Chang, and Sarah Beth Hensley
Last Updated: May 18, 2025, 4:11 PM EDT

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:

Here's how the news is developing.
May 15, 2025, 10:34 AM EDT

Trump arrives in UAE, tours Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque

When Air Force One landed in Abu Dhabi, Trump was greeted by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE. He was presented with white flowers and walked along a row of UAE military holding weapons.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks to Yousif Al Obaidli, director of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, as he tours along with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, left, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, May 1
President Donald Trump speaks to Yousif Al Obaidli, director of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, as he tours along with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, left, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Alex Brandon/AP

After that, Trump was escorted to the Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque. Once inside, Trump removed his shoes, as is customary for all visitors. He was shown the mosque's grand hall and chatted with the officials giving him the tour.

"It is so beautiful. Very proud of my friends. This is an incredible culture, that I can say. Very, very proud of my friends," Trump said in very brief remarks to the press.

He added that it was a "great honor" to the U.S. that the mosque was closed to the public for the first time for Trump's visit.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

May 15, 2025, 10:00 AM EDT

Trump to attend state visit in Abu Dhabi

The president's Middle East trip continues on Thursday with a visit to the United Arab Emirates.

He is scheduled to have a state visit in Abu Dhabi, according to his official schedule.

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomes President Donald Trump upon his arrival at the presidential terminal in Abu Dhabi, May 15, 2025.
Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images

Trump's visit makes him only the second serving American president to visit the United Arab Emirates.

May 15, 2025, 9:51 AM EDT

Vance to attend Pope Leo's inaugural mass

Vice President JD Vance's office announced that he will lead a U.S. delegation, which includes Usha Vance, Marco Rubio and his wife, that will attend Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass this Sunday.

Pope Leo XIV is the first American Pope.

Vice President JD Vance talks on the phone on his way to boarding Air Force Two, as he departs for South Carolina to visit a steel factory, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, May 1, 2025.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
May 15, 2025, 9:38 AM EDT

Trump says he'll 'have to think' about 3rd term

President Trump delivered a campaign-style speech at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, speaking to service members at one of the largest American bases in the Middle East -- and during the speech hinted that he would "have to think about" an additional term.

President Donald J. Trump stands on stage as he tours the Al Udeid Air Base, May 15, 2025, in Doha, Qatar.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

After claiming he won three elections, Trump said "some people" wanted him to run again.

"I don't know, I'll have to think about that. I saw the new hat. What does that is say? It says Trump 2028 we're driving the left crazy with that hat," Trump said.

Trump has often mused, even joked, about seeking a third term, but legal and election experts have said that any attempt for him to win another four years as president would be an unprecedented breach of the Constitution. The 22nd Amendment to the Constitution says, in part: "No person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice."

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

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