Volodymyr Zelenskyy has hailed a meeting with Donald Trump as potentially “historic” if it leads to peace in Ukraine, following talks at the Vatican before the funeral of Pope Francis.
The US and Ukrainian presidents met inside St. Peter’s Basilica for their first face-to-face encounter since a public fallout in Washington earlier this year. As reported by Sky News
A White House official described the talks as “very productive,” as the two leaders leaned forward across a small marble table to exchange views.
Posting on Telegram, Mr. Zelenskyy called the meeting “good” and suggested it could prove “historic” if it helps secure a full ceasefire and lasting peace with Russia.
He said discussions focused on protecting the Ukrainian people and ensuring that any peace agreement would prevent war from reigniting.
Photos released by Ukraine’s presidential office show Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron taking part in part of the conversation.
The French presidency described the brief talks as “positive,” while no formal trilateral meeting was officially scheduled.
According to Mr. Zelenskyy’s spokesman, the private meeting between him and Mr. Trump lasted approximately 15 minutes.
Both leaders agreed to hold further discussions later on Saturday, though no follow-up took place before Trump’s departure.
Donald Trump left Rome soon after Pope Francis’s funeral, flying back to Washington aboard Air Force One.
The Ukrainian presidency confirmed a second meeting did not happen due to scheduling pressures on both sides.
There was applause from some world leaders as Mr. Zelenskyy paused in front of the pontiff’s coffin to pay his respects.
The symbolic moment inside St. Peter’s Basilica highlighted the strong diplomatic attention surrounding the Ukrainian leader.
Former UK ambassador to Russia, Sir Tony Brenton, told Sky News the Trump-Zelenskyy encounter could be “an important step” towards restarting negotiations with Moscow.
He said it presented “the biggest possible diplomatic opportunity” seen in months.
Professor Father Francesco Giordano told Sky News the talks are being seen by clergy as “Pope Francis’s miracle.”
He said, “There are so many things that happened today — it was just overwhelming.”
The meeting follows talks between Trump’s peace negotiator, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said they discussed the potential for resuming direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Russia and Ukraine have not engaged in formal face-to-face peace negotiations since the early weeks of the conflict, which began in February 2022.
Efforts to revive dialogue have repeatedly stalled amid ongoing fighting.
Donald Trump has claimed a peace deal is “very close” and urged Mr. Zelenskyy to “get it done” in a post on his Truth Social platform.
He has previously warned that his administration would pull back diplomatic support if no agreement is reached soon.
Meanwhile, Poland’s armed forces said a Russian military helicopter violated Polish airspace over the Baltic Sea on Friday evening.
Officials suggested the move was a deliberate test of NATO air defenses amid the rising regional tensions.
