Trump and Zelenskyy Hold Private Meeting at Vatican Amid Push for Ukraine Peace

Rome: U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a highly anticipated one-on-one meeting at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Saturday, coinciding with the funeral of Pope Francis. The encounter marks a renewed effort to revive stalled peace negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The two leaders, seated closely without aides in sight, spoke privately for around 15 minutes. Zelenskyy described the meeting as potentially “historic,” highlighting discussions around an unconditional ceasefire, civilian protection, and a durable peace agreement. “We managed to discuss a lot. We hope for results,” he wrote on Telegram.

The meeting follows a tense Oval Office encounter earlier this year and comes at a time of increasing diplomatic pressure for both leaders. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, raised doubts about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s willingness to end the war, saying he may need to be “dealt with differently,” hinting at harsher financial measures like “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions.”

The Vatican moment carried strong symbolism as both leaders participated in Pope Francis’ funeral afterward. The late pontiff had consistently advocated peace in Ukraine, a message echoed during the service by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.

A photo released by Zelenskyy’s office showed him and Trump leaning toward each other in deep conversation. Another image captured the two joined by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, indicating broader European engagement in the diplomatic effort.

Plans for a follow-up meeting later in the day fell through due to tight schedules, Zelenskyy’s spokesperson said after Trump departed Rome.

Key Points of Contention Remain

Despite diplomatic activity, major differences persist between Washington’s proposed peace framework and Kyiv’s position. Trump’s administration reportedly suggested recognizing Crimea as Russian territory—an idea strongly rejected by Ukraine and its European allies. Disputes also remain over sanction relief timing, security guarantees, and Ukraine’s post-war compensation.

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Trump, who has warned he may abandon the peace process if no progress is made, has been pushing for direct high-level talks between Kyiv and Moscow. Meanwhile, Zelenskyy remains cautious, wary of being pressured into compromising on core Ukrainian interests.

Although past interactions between the two leaders have been marked by public disagreements and personal friction, Saturday’s meeting suggests a willingness—however cautious—to work together toward a negotiated end to the war.

Zelenskyy, continuing to wear military-style clothing as a symbol of solidarity with Ukraine’s defenders, skipped formal attire once again, signaling that the battle for his country remains far from over—even in the halls of the Vatican.