U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met privately in Rome to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
The 15-minute meeting occurred on 26 April inside St. Peter’s Basilica, following Pope Francis’s funeral. Zelenskyy described the encounter as “potentially historic and productive,” focusing on an unconditional ceasefire and lasting peace.
Trump condemned recent Russian missile strikes on civilians and suggested imposing tougher sanctions, including “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions,” if hostilities persist. Senator Lindsey Graham supported this approach, advocating for bipartisan trade sanctions against countries importing Russian goods.
Despite previous tensions over territorial concessions, both leaders acknowledged the importance of their dialogue. Trump aims for a swift resolution to the conflict, while Zelenskyy hopes U.S. pressure may curb Russia’s demands.
The meeting’s setting, amid global mourning for Pope Francis, underscored its significance. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, in his funeral sermon, emphasised the late pope’s call for leaders to “build bridges, not walls,” echoing Francis’s 2016 criticism of Trump’s immigration policies.
This Vatican meeting marks a potential turning point in diplomatic efforts, drawing international attention to renewed peace negotiations.
