Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Pope Leo XIV at Castel Gandolfo, located outside Rome.

According to a Vatican statement, the Pope reiterated the need for the continuation of dialogue and "expressed his urgent desire that the current diplomatic initiatives bring about a just and lasting peace."

This comes as Zelenskyy continues his tour through Europe to secure support for his country while standing firm in the face of pressure to give away territory to Russia.

"We clearly don't want to give up anything," he said in a WhatsApp chat with reporters, while also adding that the US is "looking for a compromise today."

Zelenskyy admitted Russia insists on Ukraine giving away territory, while Kyiv is not able to do such a thing due to the country's constitution and international law.

"To be frank, we don't have a moral right either," he said.

Zelenskyy is also set to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-updates-zelenskyy-meets-pope-leo-to-discuss-peace-plan/live-75074027

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WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump on Tuesday reiterated his view that Volodymyr Zelensky is a great salesman.

"He [Zelensky] is a great salesman. I call him P.T. Barnum. One of the greatest on Earth. He could sell any product at any time," Trump said in an interview with Western media.

Trump added that it was Zelensky's sales talent that enabled him to persuade former US President Joe Biden to provide $350 billion to Ukraine, adding that "about 25 percent of his country is missing" now.

In May, the US president recalled his meeting with Zelensky in the White House, describing it as a "rough session" and saying he did not like what Zelensky said at the time. Trump said that Zelensky is "the greatest salesman in the world," but he "doesn't have the cards."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20251209/trump-calls-zelensky-great-salesman-once-again-1123265805.html

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US President Donald Trump has called on Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky to start accepting peace proposals, noting that Russia has a much stronger negotiating position and will likely overwhelm Kiev’s forces in the long run.

In an interview with Politico on Monday, Trump pointed out that Russia is “a much bigger country” and currently has the “upper hand” in the conflict.

“At some point, size will win. And this is a massive size,” Trump said, insisting that Zelensky should start reading the latest draft of the US peace proposal.

Trump said that to his knowledge, the Ukrainian leader still hasn’t examined the latest US peace plan even though Zelensky’s top officials “loved the proposal.” “A lot of people are dying. So it would be really good if he’d read it,” Trump said, suggesting that the Ukrainian leader was responsible for stalling the settlement process.

“He’s gonna have to get on the ball and start accepting things,” Trump stated, adding that Zelensky is currently “losing.”

Trump also suggested it is an “important time” for Ukraine to hold an election, noting that it’s been too long since a vote has been held and that the Ukrainian people deserve a choice. “They haven’t had an election in a long time. You know, they talk about a democracy, but it gets to a point where it’s not a democracy anymore,” he said.

Trump’s initial 28-point peace plan was leaked to the media last month. It involved requirements for Kiev to withdraw its forces from Russia’s Donbass region, pledge not to join NATO, and limit the size of its armed forces. Kiev vehemently rejected the proposal.

Since then, the US plan has undergone several changes with input from Russia and Ukraine. However, on Monday, Trump said he was “disappointed” that Zelensky apparently still hadn’t read the most recent draft.

Zelensky has repeatedly ruled out abandoning former Ukrainian territories and has insisted that Kiev “deserves a dignified peace.”

Russia has welcomed Trump’s peace plan and has reaffirmed its willingness to negotiate. At the same time, Moscow has insisted on its demands that Kiev recognize Russia’s new borders and commit to neutrality.

https://www.rt.com/news/629213-us-ukraine-playing-ball/

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YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT — SINCE 2005.

         Gus Leonisky

         POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.

THE TERRITORIES ZELENSKYYYYY IS REFERRING TO USED TO BE RUSSIANS AND ARE POPULATED BY RUSSIANS... ONE HAS TO SEE THE SPLIT OF THE DONBASS AS THE SPLIT BETWEEN THE UK AND IRELAND...

MAKE A DEAL PRONTO BEFORE THE SHIT (WW3) HITS THE FAN:

NO NATO IN "UKRAINE" (WHAT'S LEFT OF IT)

THE DONBASS REPUBLICS ARE NOW BACK IN THE RUSSIAN FOLD — AS THEY USED TO BE PRIOR 1922. THE RUSSIANS WON'T ABANDON THESE AGAIN.

THESE WILL ALSO INCLUDE ODESSA, KHERSON AND KHARKIV.....

CRIMEA IS RUSSIAN — AS IT USED TO BE PRIOR 1954

TRANSNISTRIA TO BE PART OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION.

RESTORE THE RIGHTS OF THE RUSSIAN SPEAKING PEOPLE OF "UKRAINE" (WHAT'S LEFT OF IT)

RESTITUTE THE ORTHODOX CHURCH PROPERTIES AND RIGHTS

RELEASE THE OPPOSITION MEMBERS FROM PRISON

A MEMORANDUM OF NON-AGGRESSION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE USA.

A MEMORANDUM OF NON-AGGRESSION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE EU.....

EASY.

THE WEST KNOWS IT.