Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy have met for the first time since their contentious February Oval Office clash, amid ongoing U.S.-led efforts to secure a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
According to Mr. Zelenskyy’s office, the two leaders spoke for about 15 minutes inside St Peter’s Basilica before the start of Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday. A photo released showed the pair seated and talking without any visible members of their entourages.
Zelenskyy’s office also indicated that another meeting between the leaders was planned for later in the day, although specifics remain unconfirmed.
World leaders and foreign dignitaries have gathered in Rome following the death of Pope Francis earlier this week.
Mr. Trump’s and Mr. Zelenskyy’s conversation appeared private, taking place while thousands of mourners assembled in St Peter’s Square just beyond the basilica’s main doors.
The meeting occurs at a critical time, with peace talks between Russia and Ukraine still in progress.
The Trump administration has reportedly grown frustrated with both sides, although upon his arrival in Rome, Mr. Trump expressed optimism, saying a deal was “close.”
“A good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine. They are very close to a deal and should now meet at a high level to finalize it,” Mr. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.
This optimistic statement marked a notable shift in tone.
U.S. Vice-President JD Vance has warned that America may “walk away” from the negotiations if Kyiv and Moscow fail to make necessary compromises — a stance echoed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Since taking office in January, Mr. Trump has repeatedly criticized Mr. Zelenskyy, even amplifying a Kremlin narrative that blames Ukraine for starting the war.
Mr. Trump has also shown interest in mending relations with Russia, although he recently urged Russian President Vladimir Putin via social media to halt attacks on Ukraine.
On Thursday, Mr. Trump posted: “I am not happy with the Russian attacks on Kiev. Unnecessary, and at a very bad time. Vladimir, STOP! 5,000 soldiers are dying every week. Let’s get the peace deal done!”
Their February Oval Office meeting made international headlines when it devolved into a tense exchange in front of reporters.
During that session, Mr. Trump repeatedly told Mr. Zelenskyy he “did not have the cards” to withstand Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022.
The current U.S.-backed peace plan reportedly includes freezing current battle lines and formally recognizing Crimea — annexed by Russia in 2014 — as Russian territory, terms Mr. Zelenskyy has strongly rejected.
Although U.S. officials have been holding separate talks with Ukrainian and Russian delegates for weeks, there has been no direct dialogue between Kyiv and Moscow since the early days of the war.
On Saturday, Mr. Zelenskyy’s team also shared photos of him meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.
