Leading by the Nose: Axios Reveals How Zelensky Managed to Influence Trump's Opinion on Putin.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, during a meeting with President Trump at the Vatican, urged the American leader to take tougher measures against Vladimir Putin and to aim for achieving a ceasefire.

According to sources, aboard the plane, the US president made a threatening statement regarding Putin about the conditions for his cessation of war. Trump stated that he could act differently, imposing banking or secondary sanctions.

Initially, Zelensky's advisors doubted the necessity of the meeting; however, after the conversation, the Ukrainian president changed Trump’s opinion on Putin for the first Time.

Sources reported that Zelensky received 'signals' about Trump's willingness to meet. Although some of the Ukrainian president's advisors initially expressed doubts, they found a place for a private conversation in St. Peter's Cathedral.

Zelensky reported that Putin would not yield without more pressure, and Trump responded that he might need to change his approach to Putin.

The Ukrainian leader also asked Trump to return to the initial proposal for an unconditional ceasefire. A source reported that Trump agreed. However, the White House did not confirm this information.

Zelensky emphasized that he does not recognize Crimea as Russian, and Trump did not ask him to do so. The agreement stipulates recognition from the US, not Ukraine.

Zelensky stated that he is willing to make concessions to end the war but requires strong security guarantees.

Trump also emphasized the necessity of signing an agreement with Ukraine regarding minerals.

It is unclear whether Trump will continue to be critical of Putin. In an interview with ABC News, he stated that Putin may lead him by the nose, but he believes Putin wants to end the war.

The State Department spokesperson reiterated that the administration is ready to cease its role as intermediaries if no progress is made soon.