Trump, Zelenskyy Discuss Ceasefire at Brief Vatican Meeting/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy briefly met at the Vatican before Pope Francis’ funeral. Their 15-minute conversation centered on seeking a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war. Both sides described the meeting as productive, with hopes for future diplomacy.
Trump and Zelenskyy Ceasefire Talks Quick Looks
- Trump and Zelenskyy met for 15 minutes at St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Trump urged high-level Russia-Ukraine talks to end the war.
- Zelenskyy called the meeting “symbolic” with potential historic impact.
- Trump left Rome after the funeral, canceling follow-up meetings.
- Special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Vladimir Putin ahead of the funeral.
- Putin did not attend the funeral due to ICC arrest warrant.
- Zelenskyy emphasized need for unconditional ceasefire and lasting peace.
- Both leaders stressed diplomacy as the key to ending the conflict.
Trump, Zelenskyy Discuss Ceasefire at Brief Vatican Meeting
Deep Look
Trump and Zelenskyy Meet Briefly at Vatican, Push for Ukraine Ceasefire
ROME — In a significant yet brief diplomatic exchange, President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met for 15 minutes on Saturday inside St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of Pope Francis’ funeral. Their conversation focused on intensifying efforts to end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, now entering its fourth year.
The meeting occurred amid an atmosphere of solemn mourning but underscored the pressing urgency of global diplomacy. According to the White House, the dialogue was described as “very productive,” with promises that more details would be shared in due course. Zelenskyy also reacted positively, posting on social media that it had been a “good meeting” and hinting at historic possibilities if their initiatives succeed.
“We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out,” Zelenskyy wrote. He praised the symbolic timing and venue of their conversation, suggesting that it could mark a turning point in diplomatic efforts.
Trump had arrived in Rome late Friday, and shortly thereafter posted on Truth Social, calling for “very high level talks” between Russia and Ukraine to accelerate peace negotiations. This message set the tone for his Vatican conversation with Zelenskyy, aligning with Trump’s public push to mediate an end to the war.
Adding another layer to the diplomatic flurry, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Friday. Trump indicated that Witkoff’s discussions had made significant headway, claiming that the parties were “very close to a deal.” Putin, however, did not attend Pope Francis’ funeral, likely deterred by an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes during the Ukraine conflict.
Despite expectations for a possible second conversation between Trump and Zelenskyy later in the day, the American president departed Rome directly after the funeral service, boarding Air Force One for the 10-hour flight back to the United States. This abrupt departure effectively postponed any additional face-to-face discussions.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy maintained the momentum for diplomacy, emphasizing in a statement late Friday the need for urgent and meaningful negotiations.
“Real pressure on Russia is needed so that they accept either the American proposal to cease fire and move towards peace, or our proposal,” Zelenskyy stated. He called for a “reliable, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire” as the foundation for any future peace agreement.
The timing and nature of the Vatican meeting carried deep symbolic weight. Pope Francis had consistently advocated for an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict throughout his papacy, often urging both sides to pursue peace and humanitarian considerations. Holding such crucial preliminary discussions in the spiritual heart of the Catholic Church further highlighted the moral gravity of the ongoing war and the global stakes involved.
Both Trump and Zelenskyy left the door open for future diplomacy, though concrete steps and timelines remain uncertain. For Trump, brokering a ceasefire would not only address a major international crisis but also bolster his foreign policy credentials as he continues to maintain a high profile on the world stage.
As the conflict drags on with devastating human costs, Saturday’s brief but hopeful dialogue between Trump and Zelenskyy stands as a reminder that even short conversations, especially in the right setting, can have profound implications. Whether this meeting will spark a genuine diplomatic breakthrough remains to be seen.
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