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U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Vatican City on Saturday during the funeral of Pope Francis to discuss reviving stalled efforts to broker peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Zelenskyy expressed optimism about the encounter, suggesting that it could be significant if it paves the way for the peace he envisions. A spokesperson from the White House described the discussion as “very productive.”
The leaders met privately for approximately 15 minutes in St. Peter’s Basilica in a setting devoid of aides, leaning closely to converse. Visuals of this meeting were simultaneously shared by both Kyiv and Washington.
This marked the first direct interaction between the two presidents since a tense meeting in Washington, D.C., earlier in February, and comes at a crucial juncture in peace negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.
‘Too many people are dying,’ writes Trump
After attending Pope Francis’s funeral in St. Peter’s Square, Trump departed Rome aboard Air Force One. While in transit, he took to social media to issue a sharp critique of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days,” he posted on Truth Social, referencing a recent missile strike in Kyiv that resulted in twelve casualties.
“It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!!!” Trump remarked.
This post reflects a shift from Trump’s recent pattern of communication, which has often included harsh remarks directed at Zelenskyy while he expressed a more favorable tone regarding Putin.
Zelenskyy also commented on their meeting via Telegram, highlighting its importance: “Good meeting. One-on-one, we managed to discuss a lot. We hope for a result from all the things that were spoken about.”
Zelenskyy thanks Trump after ‘symbolic’ meeting
The Ukrainian president indicated that their discussion encompassed key issues, such as “The protection of the lives of our people. A complete and unconditional ceasefire. A reliable and lasting peace that will prevent a recurrence of war.”
“It was a very symbolic meeting that has the potential to become historic if we achieve joint results. Thank you, President Donald Trump!” said Zelenskyy.
Photographs shared by Zelenskyy’s office depicted the leaders engaged in discussion, closely situated within the basilica, as well as a broader gathering with other global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Following their meeting, Trump and Zelenskyy joined their counterparts in St. Peter’s Square to attend the funeral ceremony of Pope Francis, who advocated for peace throughout his papacy.
During the sermon, Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re reminded attendees of the Pope’s persistent call for negotiations to resolve conflicts, stating, “War always leaves the world worse than it was before: it is always a painful and tragic defeat for everyone.”
Differences over territory
Trump has been encouraging both Moscow and Kyiv to reach a ceasefire and negotiate a peace agreement, warning that his administration might withdraw from peace efforts if an agreement is not reached promptly.
Recent diplomatic discussions have revealed differing positions between the Trump administration and Ukraine, as well as its European allies, regarding peace talks. According to documents reviewed by Reuters, Washington is inclined to recognize Crimea, the region annexed by Russia in 2014, as Russian territory—a non-negotiable point for Ukraine and its allies.
Additional disagreements have surfaced regarding the timeline for lifting sanctions on Russia, the nature of security guarantees offered to Ukraine, and the financial restitution to Ukraine.
The relationship between Trump and Zelenskyy has been marked by tension. During their previous Oval Office meeting, Trump accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War Three.”
WATCH l Putin’s tactics could frustrate U.S., analysts say:
Is Putin playing Trump about peace in Ukraine?
As the U.S. attempts to broker a ceasefire, Russia appears to be moving in an opposing direction. Recent analyses suggest that Putin may be attempting to manipulate Trump through his business ties.
Despite previous tensions, Zelenskyy has made efforts to mend ties, although criticisms have persisted. He accused Trump of becoming ensnared in a “disinformation bubble” favoring Moscow, while Trump has criticized Zelenskyy for delay in pursuing a peace agreement and making “inflammatory” comments.
Nonetheless, Trump’s desire for a swift resolution necessitates Zelenskyy’s cooperation, while Ukraine requires U.S. influence to negotiate more favorable terms from Russia.
During their earlier Oval Office meeting, a reporter from a conservative news outlet commented on Zelenskyy’s attire, suggesting a lack of respect for the occasion. At Pope Francis’s funeral, Zelenskyy donned a simple dark shirt with no tie and a military-style jacket, staying in line with his choice of military attire since the onset of the invasion in 2022, which he has characterized as a show of solidarity with Ukrainian defenders.
In Rome, Zelenskyy’s choice of dress mirrored his military-inspired appearance from their previous meeting, as he continues to represent himself in a manner resonant with the ongoing struggle of his nation.
Source
www.cbc.ca