Zelensky says Vatican meeting with Trump ‘has potential to become historic’

Saturday 26 April 2025 2:17 pm

Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned his assembly with Donald Trump on the fringes of the Pope’s funeral “has potential to grow to be historic”.

The Ukrainian president and his US counterpart met inside St Peter’s Basilica after they every paid respects at Francis’ coffin.

{A photograph} of the 2 leaders exhibits them sat reverse each other on chairs inside the nice church on the coronary heart of Vatican Metropolis.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and France’s Emmanuel Macron have been additionally pictured alongside the American and Ukrainian presidents in photos from the encounter, although particulars have but to be launched about their involvement.

The US has been urgent Ukraine to just accept a peace deal which might require Kyiv to just accept Russian management of huge swathes of occupied land.

Mr Zelensky has insisted he is not going to recognise Russian sovereignty over Crimea, the area occupied by Moscow’s forces since 2014, nor continued Kremlin management in Ukraine’s south and east.

He has known as for Vladimir Putin to as an alternative settle for an unconditional finish to the combating.

Following the funeral ceremony’s finish, the Ukrainian chief mentioned his face-to-face encounter with Mr Trump – their first since a tempestuous conflict within the White Home in February – had been a “good assembly”.

In a submit on social media website X, he added: “We mentioned quite a bit one on one. Hoping for outcomes on all the things we lined.

“Defending lives of our individuals. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Dependable and lasting peace that can forestall one other warfare from breaking out.

“Very symbolic assembly that has potential to grow to be historic, if we obtain joint outcomes.”

Mr Zelensky’s spokesperson, Serhii Nykyforov, mentioned the assembly lasted round quarter-hour.

Mr Trump was reported to have left Rome quickly after the funeral, whereas the Ukrainian chief was anticipated to interact in additional talks with different leaders.

The Ukrainian chief acquired a spherical of applause as he stepped out into St Peter’s Sq. from the basilica and was seen by different world leaders.

Elsewhere through the funeral, Mr Trump and Mr Macron shook arms as a part of the ceremony.

The leaders made the gesture when the congregation was invited to supply these round them a “signal of peace” – a conventional a part of the Roman Catholic mass.

The gathering in Rome presents the UK’s Sir Keir the chance to boost continued assist for Ukraine, and different points like US tariffs, along with his counterparts from throughout the globe.

William, the Prince of Wales, can be among the many main dignitaries who attended the ceremony in St Peter’s Sq..

The Prince spoke with each the US president and Mr Macron as world leaders gathered forward of the funeral.

The Prime Minister and Mr Macron are main efforts to ascertain a peacekeeping mission that can implement a doable future ceasefire in Ukraine.

Studies in latest days have instructed British army figures suppose the so-called coalition of the prepared is now too-risky a prospect.

Downing Avenue has brushed apart these claims, whereas the Telegraph newspaper has reported the US has privately indicated it’s prepared to again up European peacekeepers within the face of potential Russian aggression.

As he touched down in Rome on Friday evening, Mr Trump known as for Ukraine and Russia to fulfill “at very excessive ranges” as a deal is now “very shut” to being agreed.

He has expressed public anger with Mr Zelensky in latest weeks, due to the Ukrainian chief’s insistence he is not going to cede territory to Moscow to get a peace deal over the road.

By David Lynch, PA Political Correspondent