Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy met the Vatican

 

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy met the Vatican, just before the funeral of Pope Francis. This unexpected encounter marks their first face-to-face meeting since a highly publicized clash at the White House in February.

What Happened?

The two leaders held a brief but significant 15-minute one-on-one conversation inside St. Peter’s Basilica. The meeting was described by both sides as "very productive" and potentially "historic" if it leads to progress on peace in Ukraine. Zelenskyy expressed optimism, calling it a "very positive" step toward ending the war.

Key Outcomes

• Peace Talks: The discussion focused on achieving a ceasefire and establishing a lasting peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. ​

• Trump’s Shift on Russia: Following the meeting, Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for recent missile attacks on Kyiv, suggesting that Putin might not be serious about ending the war. ​

• Diplomatic Reset: This meeting could signal a thaw in U.S.-Ukraine relations, especially after their previous contentious interaction in Washington.

Symbolic Setting

The meeting took place in the solemn setting of Pope Francis’s funeral, attended by over 400,000 people. Both Trump and Zelenskyy were seated in the front row, highlighting the significance of their presence and the potential for renewed diplomatic efforts.