Vatican City — In a highly symbolic encounter, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met privately in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, just before the funeral of Pope Francis.
The 15-minute discussion, their first face-to-face meeting since a contentious February Oval Office exchange, comes at a pivotal moment for Ukraine as international efforts to end Russia’s war intensify.
Both leaders described the Vatican meeting as “productive” and “constructive,” with Zelenskyy expressing hope for “positive outcomes on all the topics we addressed,” including the protection of Ukrainian lives, a full and unconditional ceasefire, and the establishment of a lasting peace.
Trump, meanwhile, voiced skepticism about Russian President
Vladimir Putin’s commitment to peace, stating after the meeting
that he doubts Putin’s willingness to end the conflict.
The meeting took place in a secluded corner of St. Peter’s Basilica, away from other world leaders and dignitaries who had gathered for the funeral, including French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Macron, who has advocated for direct dialogue between the U.S. and Ukraine, briefly greeted both leaders before leaving them to their private conversation.
Images released by the Ukrainian presidency showed Trump and Zelenskyy engaged in deep discussion, seated on cushioned metal chairs beneath the basilica’s ornate ceilings.
According to officials, no aides were present, and the specifics of their conversation remain confidential, though both sides have committed to continuing dialogue.
The encounter followed a week of intense diplomatic activity, including meetings between Trump’s envoys and Russian officials in Moscow, as well as discussions involving Ukrainian and European leaders in London.
Trump later posted on social media that Ukraine and Russia are “very close to a deal,” suggesting that high-level talks could soon take place.
Observers noted the meeting’s symbolic weight, occurring in the shadow of the Pope’s funeral and amid global uncertainty about the future of the Ukraine conflict. While the session was brief, both Trump and Zelenskyy indicated that the dialogue could pave the way for further negotiations and, potentially, a historic resolution to the war.
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Tags: Trump, Zelenskyy, Vatican, Ukraine, Russia, Peace Talks, Pope Francis, Funeral, Diplomacy, Putin, Macron, St. Peter’s Basilica, Ceasefire, International Relations
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