Bangladesh, April 28 -- During an impromptu press conference before boarding Air Force One on April 27, US President Donald Trump offered a surprising assessment of his recent meeting with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky at the Vatican. According to Trump, the Ukrainian leader appeared “calmer” and more open to making a peace deal with Russia than during their previous, more contentious encounters – signaling a possible shift in Kievs position as the war drags on.

“I see him as calmer. I think he understands the picture. And I think he wants to make a deal,” Trump told reporters, comparing the meetings tone favorably against the “little dispute” that occurred in February, which famously end...