Zelensky reveals how latest talk with Trump went while US reportedly finalizes new sanctions on Russia

Volodymyr Zelensky’s meeting with President Trump on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral was the “best” the two have had, the Ukrainian president revealed Saturday as the US finalizes new sanctions hoping to squeeze the Kremlin into submission.“I believe that we had the best conversation with President Trump of all those that have taken place before,” Zelensky said in a video released by his office.“It may have been the shortest, but it was the most substantive,” he added.Zelensky said the two also discussed US sanctions on Russia during their 15-minute confab, and that Trump responded “very strong” to them.The leaders pulled up two chairs at the Vatican last Saturday and spoke face-to-face for the first time since their infamous Oval Office blowout in late February, which led to the collapse of a minerals deal.After the funeral, Trump threatened to deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin “differently, through banking or secondary sanctions,” accusing him of “tapping” him along.By Friday, US officials had reportedly finalized new economic sanctions against the Kremlin, targeting energy, natural resources and banking, according to Reuters, though Trump still has to sign off on the measures.The targets include state-owned Russian energy giant Gazprom, according to reports.The US National Security Council “is trying to coordinate … more punitive actions against Russia,” an official told the outlet.Zelensky also said he reiterated to Trump the need to purchase US weapons and bolster Ukraine’s air defenses.“I told him about the quantity, and he told me that they would work on it, that these things are not free,” he said.The long-awaited minerals deal between the two countries was finally inked on Wednesday, and Zelensky said it would allow his country to defend future US investments, as well as its own territory and people.The agreement creates an investment fund, which is expected to generate revenue through oil, gas and mi...