In a significant, albeit brief, encounter on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held what the White House termed a “productive” discussion.
This marks their first in-person meeting since a tense exchange at the White House in February and occurs against a backdrop of the American president advocating for Ukraine to reach a settlement with Russia to end the protracted three-year conflict.
White House communications director Steven Cheung released a statement characterizing the private meeting between the two leaders as “very productive.” Similarly, a spokesperson for President Zelenskyy confirmed the meeting, stating it lasted approximately 15 minutes.
READ: Florida, Texas Senators Intro ‘LIABLE Act’ To Target Legal Immunity For Orgs Supporting Terrorism
President Zelenskyy conveyed a sense of optimism following the discussion, noting its “potential to become historic.” Writing on his Truth Social platform, President Trump referenced the recent Russian strikes on Kyiv that resulted in civilian casualties, stating, “there was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas.” He further added, “It makes me think he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along.”
The meeting comes at a critical juncture, as President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have recently indicated that Washington’s commitment to negotiating a peace settlement between Ukraine and Russia may waver without swift progress.
READ :Russia Claims Full Control Of Kursk Region As Ukrainian Incursion Reportedly Ends
The U.S. has reportedly proposed a deal that would entail Ukraine ceding control of territories gained by Russia since 2022 and potentially recognizing Russia’s annexation of Crimea, a move Ukraine has publicly rejected. The proposal also appears to oppose Ukraine’s aspirations to join the NATO alliance.
Notably, after the meeting, President Trump posted on Truth Social with a more critical tone towards Russia, questioning President Putin’s intentions regarding ending the conflict. This contrasts with his earlier remarks, which often focused on urging Ukraine to make concessions.
Prior to this encounter, relations between the two leaders appeared strained. During their February meeting in Washington, the American president reportedly criticized President Zelenskyy for a perceived lack of gratitude for U.S. assistance in Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
Both leaders were present at the solemn funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square. President Trump, accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump, was seated in a prominent front-row position among numerous heads of state and dignitaries. President Zelenskyy’s arrival at the ceremony was met with applause from the assembled crowd.
READ: Hugh Hewitt Thinks Feds Have ‘Open And Shut’ Case Against Milwaukee Judge
Following the funeral, President Trump immediately departed for the United States. While a further meeting between the two leaders was reportedly being arranged, President Zelenskyy’s spokesperson indicated that it did not materialize due to scheduling constraints.
President Zelenskyy did, however, have separate discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who were also in attendance.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
