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.
Vice President JD Vance is meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine in Rome. They are joined by Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State, and Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Pope Leo XIV talks to U.S. Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha after a Holy mass for the beginning of his pontificate, in St Peter's basilica in The Vatican, May 18, 2025.
Alberto Pizzoli/AFP via Getty Images
Earlier Sunday, Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio attended Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass. The vice president will meet later Sunday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy and President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission.
-ABC News’ Hannah Demissie
May 17, 2025, 11:59 PM EDT
White House releases video of Trump's conversation with Edan Alexander following his release
The White House released a video of President Donald Trump speaking with American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander after he was released earlier this week after being held captive by Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023. In the video, Edan sits next to Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump's voice is heard on a speakerphone.
"I am very nervous talking to you, Edan, because you're a much bigger celebrity than I am," Trump started the phone conversation to reaction from the room.
This handout picture released by the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO) army shows newly-released Israeli-US hostage Edan Alexender reuniting with members of his family at Tel Aviv's Sourasky Medical Center on May 12, 2025.
Kobi Gideon/GPO/AFP via Getty Images
"Edan is the hottest celebrity in the world right now, but that's no way to become a celebrity, right? We'll do it a different way," he continued. "We're very honored. Wow, it's crazy."
Edan responded, "You’re the only reason I’m here. You saved my life."
Trump appeared fascinated in learning more about what Alexander had endured under captivity.
"How was it? Are you free to talk a little bit?" Trump asked, at which point Alexander instructed him that they were recording the conversation.
The president noted how Alexander's family became strong advocates for their son's release and regularly communicated with the president.
"You’re an American, and we love you, and we’re going to take good care of you. And your parents are incredible. I saw your mother. She was pushing me around a little bit. She was putting a lot of pressure on me," Trump closed.
-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh
May 17, 2025, 11:49 AM EDT
Trump says he will speak with Putin, Zelenskyy separately on Monday
Trump announced on Truth Social that he has a phone call scheduled with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday at 10 a.m.
"THE SUBJECTS OF THE CALL WILL BE, STOPPING THE 'BLOODBATH' THAT IS KILLING, ON AVERAGE, MORE THAN 5000 RUSSIAN AND UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS A WEEK, AND TRADE," he wrote in all-caps.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks on the phone, during a meeting at the 6th European Political Community summit, in Tirana, Albania, May 16, 2025.
Leon Neal/Pool via Reuters
Trump said he will talk to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO leaders afterward.
"HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE A PRODUCTIVE DAY," he wrote.
-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh
May 16, 2025, 10:55 AM EDT
Trump sends direct message to Republican hardliners calling on them to unite
President Donald Trump weighed in on Friday on Truth Social to help House Speaker Mike Johnson in the budget negotiations, calling on his party to unite behind the proposed legislation.
The president had a direct message to hardliners who have threatened to tank the bill as they call for larger spending cuts, writing, "We don't need 'GRANDSTANDERS' in the Republican Party. STOP TALKING, AND GET IT DONE!"
President Donald Trump attends a business forum at Qasr Al Watan during the final stop of his Gulf visit, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 16, 2025.
