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During a recent meeting in Rome, Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of sustaining efforts towards a resolution of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The discussions took place following the Pope’s funeral, marking a significant moment for international dialogue.
According to a spokesperson from Downing Street, the two leaders acknowledged “positive progress made in recent days” in their pursuit of a peace agreement.
Sir Keir attended the funeral alongside the Prince of Wales, both of whom paid their respects in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday.
Before the memorial service commenced, Sir Keir, along with notable figures like US President Donald Trump, Zelensky, and French President Emmanuel Macron, engaged in a discussion inside the historic St. Peter’s Basilica.
The focused conversation between Starmer and Zelensky highlighted the recent advancements directed at achieving a fair and enduring peace in Ukraine, as stated by Downing Street. They committed to maintaining their collaborative momentum, working closely with international partners to strategize the subsequent phases of this initiative.
Reports indicate that Starmer and Zelensky held a personal, 15-minute meeting in the gardens of the Ambassador’s residence following the funeral, followed by a further delegation meeting that lasted around 20 minutes.
Prior to the service, Zelensky and Trump engaged in their own 15-minute private discussion, just a day after US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as diplomatic efforts continue to resolve the conflict.
Photographs captured the two presidents deep in conversation amidst the stunning architecture of the basilica. Zelensky later described his interaction with Trump as “good” and “very symbolic,” recognizing its potential historical significance.
Alongside Sir Keir, the Prince of Wales recognized the contributions of the Pope during the service, which was attended by numerous global leaders.
The gathering included 55 heads of state, 14 heads of government, and 12 reigning monarchs, all present for the solemn ceremony held outdoors in front of the basilica.
Prince William, representing King Charles III, participated in a moment of silence before Pope Francis’ coffin, dressed in a formal dark blue suit and black tie, paying tribute to the late pontiff.
This event marks one of his first significant public duties as the heir to the throne, and notably, it was his initial representation of the King—head of the Church of England—at an international funeral.
On his way into the service, the prince engaged briefly with Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, as well as French President Macron and his wife, Brigitte.
Seated in the third row during the service, Prince William was positioned next to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, with Jordan’s King Abdullah and Queen Rania ahead of him.
The tradition for the heir to attend a papal funeral aligns with recent practices; indeed, King Charles attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005 in place of Queen Elizabeth II.
Sir Keir was accompanied by his wife Victoria and Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the solemn event.
Pope Francis, who passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday, had been facing health challenges, including a severe case of double pneumonia earlier in the year.
The Vatican reported an estimated 250,000 attendees at the funeral, which took place in St. Peter’s Square and its vicinity.
Source
www.bbc.com