United States Vice President JD Vance arrived in Rome on Friday for key diplomatic engagements, including a meeting with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The visit comes just a day after Meloni’s trip to Washington DC, where she met with President Donald Trump to discuss a potential US-EU trade deal. Trump expressed hope that such a deal could be finalized by the end of the 90-day reciprocal tariff pause.

During his time in Rome, Vance emphasized his optimism about resolving the war in Ukraine. “Since there are the negotiations, I won’t prejudge them, but we do feel optimistic that we can hopefully bring this war, this very brutal war, to a close,” he stated. Vance plans to brief Prime Minister Meloni on the latest progress in the ongoing negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

The US Vice President also noted that his discussions with Meloni would include broader trade matters. “We’ll be discussing trade negotiations, not only between Italy and the US, but also with the EU,” Vance said, signaling Washington’s continued push for stronger transatlantic economic ties.

Additionally, Vance is scheduled to meet with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin at the Vatican during his visit. These meetings mark a strategic diplomatic effort to reinforce US relations with both the Italian government and the Catholic Church amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Earlier in the week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that progress had been made during talks on Ukraine in Paris, but he warned that Washington may “move on” from diplomatic efforts if it determines that a resolution is not feasible in the short term. Vance’s remarks, however, reflect a more hopeful stance within the Trump administration toward achieving a peaceful end to the conflict.

Vance’s presence in Europe underscores the administration’s dual focus on peace in Ukraine and reinvigorating trade partnerships. The outcome of his meetings in Rome may shape upcoming policy developments both in Washington and across the EU.