Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky had a brief but significant meeting in the quiet of St. Peter’s Basilica before Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday, marking their first encounter since a contentious White House clash. Zelensky stated that they discussed a potential unconditional ceasefire with Russia, describing the meeting as symbolic and historic in its potential. Following the meeting, Trump cast doubt on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s desire for peace, suggesting that Putin might not want to stop the war.
Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, criticizing Putin for attacking civilian areas, and proposed alternative measures like banking and secondary sanctions to address the situation. Meanwhile, the ongoing war cast a shadow over Pope Francis’s funeral, with Russia claiming to have “liberated” the Kursk region, while Ukraine disputed this, saying it was still actively fighting there.
The two leaders met privately in a corner of the basilica, leaning forward in deep conversation. Zelensky emphasized that they discussed a range of issues, including achieving a full ceasefire and lasting peace. His aides and the White House described the meeting as constructive and productive.
Trump’s visit to Rome also saw him meet briefly with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, with Macron later having a one-on-one meeting with Zelensky. The focus, however, remained on the Trump-Zelensky interaction, which generated significant attention, especially as Trump continues to push for a peace deal, despite ongoing tensions with Zelensky regarding U.S. military assistance to Ukraine.
Key Points:
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Meeting Context: Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky meet before Pope Francis’s funeral.
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Discussion Focus: Potential unconditional ceasefire and peace talks with Russia.
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Trump’s Position: Questions Putin’s desire for peace and calls for alternative measures (sanctions, banking).
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War Update: Russia claims to have “liberated” Kursk; Ukraine disputes this.
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Post-Meeting Reactions: Described as constructive by Zelensky and the White House.
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Trump’s Position on Peace: Advocates for direct talks between Putin and Zelensky to finalize a peace deal.
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Tensions: Strained relations between Trump and Zelensky over U.S. military aid and peace terms, including the future of Crimea.
The brief but high-profile meeting between Trump and Zelensky in Rome underscored the ongoing tension and complexity surrounding the Ukraine conflict. While both leaders expressed hope for a resolution, Trump’s comments about Putin and the peace process reflect his continued push for a different approach to ending the war. As the global community remains engaged, the path to peace remains fraught with challenges, especially given the deep divisions between the U.S. and Ukraine over key issues like territorial concessions.
