The meeting, which also included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was the first encounter between Vance and Zelensky since a heated Oval Office session in February.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with top U.S. officials and European leaders in Rome on Sunday, part of stepped-up diplomatic efforts ahead of a high-stakes phone call expected Monday between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending the war in Ukraine.

The Russian president abruptly canceled plans to meet face-to-face with Zelensky in Turkey last week. President Zelenskyy, left, and Vice President Vance greet each other as Secretary of State Rubio, center, looks on at St. Peter's Square Sunday. AP/Gregorio Borgia