Trump admin updates: Vance meets with Zelenskyy in Rome

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

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, 1:43 PM EDT

Trump says Middle East trip has been amazing

Trump told reporters that the last four days have been amazing, thanking members of his team -- naming Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent -- for joining him on his four-day visit to the Middle East.

The president will now head to a banquet dinner with UAE leaders.

President Donald Trump and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meet at Qasr Al-Watan in Abu Dhabi, May 15, 2025.
Brian Snyder/Reuters

May 15, 2025, 1:09 PM EDT

Trump says US will treat UAE 'magnificently'

In a bilateral meeting, Trump shared what he viewed as his biggest achievements in his first few months in office -- including grocery prices, inflation and military enlistment numbers.

Trump also pledged to continue the partnership with UAE, a key ally, saying "we are going to be your friend and partner."

"We are going to treat you, as you should be, magnificently," Trump said.

The president also heaped praise onto Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE.

"You are a great warrior. A very strong man, brilliant man, a man with vision like few others, few others. And highly respected," Trump said.

After Trump's remarks, three uniformed military members marched in with a large piece of jewelry -- a pure gold necklace, which is called the Order of Zayed, the highest civilian honor. It is named after the leader who forged the Emirati union whose portrait was displayed behind them during the meeting.

President Donald Trump receives the Order of Zayed, the country's highest civilian award during a bilateral meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Qasr al Watan, May 15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
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

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