In a significant diplomatic moment, President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral in Kyiv. This brief but impactful meeting occurred amidst a Ukrainian diplomatic push to counter a controversial U.S. proposal aimed at ending the ongoing war with Russia on terms perceived to favor Moscow.
The one-on-one conversation marked the first interaction between Trump and Zelensky since Zelensky’s challenging visit to Washington in February. It took place in the solemn setting of the Vatican, a stark contrast to the tumultuous atmosphere of their previous discussions in the Oval Office, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky, implying he held “no cards” in the conflict. Following their meeting, Zelensky reflected on its potential significance, stating on social media, “Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become, if we achieve joint results.” He also expressed gratitude to Trump with a simple “Thank you @POTUS.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed Zelensky's sentiments, emphasizing the historic nature of the meeting and the leaders’ shared commitment to peace. He shared a photo of the moment, stating, “No words are needed to describe the importance of this historic meeting. Two leaders working for peace in St. Peter’s Basilica.”
Recent weeks have seen a surge in discussions regarding the war in Ukraine, particularly between the United States and Russia. Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the fourth time just before the funeral. Earlier in the week, Trump made headlines by suggesting that he found working with Russia to be more manageable than engaging with Zelensky. This assertion came just hours before a devastating Russian bombing of Kyiv, which tragically resulted in 12 civilian deaths and nearly 90 injuries.
The attack has since galvanized European support for Ukraine's demand for a ceasefire, prompting an unusual rebuke from Trump, who took to social media to urge Putin to “STOP!” The White House is under pressure to fulfill Trump's commitments to swiftly conclude the war, yet tangible progress remains elusive. With Russia maintaining a strategic advantage on the front lines, there is little incentive for them to cease hostilities.
A limited ceasefire agreement, reached in March, was supposed to prevent strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days. However, both sides have accused each other of violating the terms, and disagreements over the start date of the truce have further complicated matters. On Easter, Putin unilaterally declared a 30-hour ceasefire, which Ukraine agreed to mirror. Although this temporary halt reduced airstrikes on Ukrainian cities, fighting on the front lines resumed shortly thereafter, with Russia disregarding Ukraine’s requests for an extension.
Last week, the U.S. proposed a “final offer” deal, which surprised Ukraine and its European allies due to its perceived pro-Russian elements. Ukraine has responded by insisting on an immediate ceasefire before any discussions regarding territorial issues. High-level meetings scheduled for Wednesday in London were downgraded following cancellations from Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In a bid to counter the U.S. proposal, European leaders have drafted a new text that addresses key Ukrainian concerns, including the ceasefire.
As the situation remains precarious, the unwavering support from European nations for Zelensky was evident during the funeral, where he engaged with allies, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Zelensky also met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has emerged as a crucial ally, helping guide him through the aftermath of his earlier White House visit. Meloni expressed the significance of the moment, stating, “Seeing Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky talking about peace at the funeral of the Pope of Peace has such huge meaning. Today has been a historic day.”
As Zelensky arrived at the funeral, he received a warm welcome, marked by a substantial round of applause. Additional meetings between senior Ukrainian officials and their U.S. counterparts took place during the event, including discussions between Sybiha and Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. Yermak expressed gratitude for the ongoing engagement and strong partnership between the two nations, stating, “We keep moving forward.”
