Story highlights Ryan's comments come as the Republican Party tries to unify following a divisive primary fight

"Donald Trump should be given a ton of credit for advancing and widening the playing field," Ryan said

Washington (CNN) House Speaker Paul Ryan on Saturday offered praise -- but still no endorsement -- for presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump and said congressional GOP staffers will meet with aides to the billionaire next week to discuss policy.

The speaker's comments come as the Republican Party tries to unify following a divisive primary fight and fears among conservatives that Trump doesn't embrace their values.

On Thursday, Trump visited Capitol Hill, where he met with Ryan, Republican congressional leaders and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus in what was hailed as an important step toward piecing the party back together.

Ryan had sent shockwaves through the political establishment earlier this month when he told CNN's Jake Tapper that he was "just not ready" to endorse Trump.

At the time, Trump said he wasn't ready to "support Speaker Ryan's agenda," though in a joint statement following Thursday's meetings, the two men said they had taken "a very positive step toward unification."

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