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, 12:52 PM EDT

UAE president touts strong partnership with US, improved since Trump took office

President Donald Trump and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meet at Qasr Al-Watan in Abu Dhabi, May 15, 2025.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE, started his bilateral meeting with Trump by saying the partnership between the countries has taken a "leap" since Trump took office, mentioning an economic agreement between the countries.

In translated comments, the UAE president also spoke about efforts to bring peace to the Middle East, saying that the UAE "remains committed" to working with the U.S. to advance peace regionally and globally.

May 15, 2025, 12:11 PM EDT

Trump arrives at presidential palace in Abu Dhabi

Children wave Emirati and U.S. flags as President Donal Trump arrives at Qasr Al-Watan in Abu Dhabi, May 15, 2025.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Trump has arrived at Qasr al Watan -- the presidential palace of the United Arab Emirates, located in Abu Dhabi -- where he was greeted with a colorful arrival ceremony.

The ceremony included dozens of people waving UAE and American flags and girls swinging their hair as Trump walked by with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE.

The pair crossed the marble floors of the palace while the U.S. and UAE national anthems played.

Children perform a traditional dance as President Donald Trump arrives at Qasr Al-Watan in Abu Dhabi, May 15, 2025.
Amr Alfiky/Reuters
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.

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