The funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican City on Saturday (April 26) became an unexpected backdrop for a significant political meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Both leaders were among the dozens of international dignitaries who traveled to Rome to pay tribute to Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday (April 21) at the age of 88 following a stroke and irreversible heart failure.
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World leaders including Prince William, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer were also present for the service at St Peter’s Square.
Before the funeral proceedings began, Trump and Zelenskyy held a private meeting — their first in-person encounter since a tense White House exchange earlier this year.
According to aides, the two spoke for approximately 15 minutes on the sidelines of the event. Ukrainian presidential spokesman Serhiy Nykyforov confirmed the meeting and said that they agreed to continue discussions later that day.
“The leaders agreed to continue their discussions today. Teams are working on organising the continuation of the meeting,” he said, as reported by France24.
A spokesperson for the White House described the conversation as “a very productive discussion" to Sky News.
For his part, Zelenskyy also reflected positively on the meeting. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote: "Good meeting. 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.
"Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you @POTUS."
He reiterated similar sentiments on Facebook, posting: "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."
Images released by the Ukrainian presidency captured the leaders' meeting, showing them seated face-to-face, as well as participating in a larger four-way conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
According to the French presidency, the broader meeting was described as "positive".
Earlier this week, Trump asserted that a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia was "very close" and publicly urged Zelenskyy to "get it done."
"We are very close to a deal, but the man with 'no cards to play' should now, finally, GET IT DONE," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
"I look forward to being able to help Ukraine, and Russia, get out of this complete and total MESS, that would have never started if I were president!" he added.
The news comes after tensions continued to mount this week after Trump shared his peace plan for Ukraine and Russia.
The POTUS' comments on Ukraine’s territorial integrity have sparked controversy, particularly after a Time interview published on Friday (April 25) in which Trump said that Crimea “will stay with Russia.”
Trump’s broader peace proposal - crafted with input from his envoy General Keith Kellogg, - calls for Ukraine to make sweeping territorial concessions, including ceding Crimea and large portions of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhia to Russia. Ukraine would retain access to the Dnipro River and parts of Kherson, while the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant would be placed under US administration.
Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected these terms, calling them unconstitutional and unacceptable.
"There is nothing to talk about. This violates our Constitution," he said, according to Al Jazeera. "This is our territory — the territory of the people of Ukraine."
He warned that conceding territory could embolden Moscow: "As soon as talks about Crimea and our sovereign territories begin, the talks enter the format that Russia wants — prolonging the war — because it will not be possible to agree on everything quickly."
Despite Kyiv’s firm stance, Trump has continued to press for a deal, recently writing: "Most of the major points are agreed to. Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!"
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss the possibility of direct Ukraine-Russia talks. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov described the conversations as "constructive and very useful," according to CNN.
Before departing for Rome, Zelenskyy had signaled an openness to dialogue under strict conditions. "In the coming days, very significant meetings may take place — meetings that should bring us closer to silence for Ukraine," he said. "We are ready for dialogue, I emphasize again, in any format with anyone," he continued, "[but] only after a real signal that Russia is ready to end the war. Such a signal is a complete and unconditional ceasefire."
Direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have not occurred since the early weeks of Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Any potential new talks would likely require significant groundwork.
Addressing future security guarantees, Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine's NATO membership remains distant. He suggested alternative security measures could include a European military contingent and US-provided defensive support, including Patriot air defense systems. "For us, the backstop does not necessarily have to be boots on the ground in Ukraine," he clarified.
Meanwhile, observers at the funeral noted a stark contrast in how the two leaders were received, with Zelenskyy's arrival at St Peter’s Square being met with a round of applause.
Both Trump and Zelenskyy remained for the funeral service before heading into further discussions with international leaders.