In a significant diplomatic encounter, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with U.S. President Donald Trump at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on April 26, 2025. The meeting took place just before the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88, following a stroke. Both leaders described their discussions as productive and constructive, marking a crucial moment in ongoing efforts to negotiate peace in Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Approximately 200,000 people gathered in Vatican City to honor the late pontiff, creating a somber backdrop for the high-profile meeting. White House communications director Steven Cheung stated, "President Trump and President Zelensky met privately today and had a very productive discussion," while Zelensky's office echoed this sentiment, calling the meeting "constructive" but refraining from divulging specifics.
The meeting was the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since a tense meeting in February 2025, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky for what they perceived as a lack of gratitude for U.S. support in Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russian aggression. At that time, Trump had suggested that Zelensky was not winning the conflict and had "no cards to play." This previous encounter had left relations between the two leaders strained.
During their brief 15-minute discussion, Zelensky expressed hope for tangible results from their talks, stating, "Good meeting. We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered." He emphasized the need for protecting lives, achieving a full and unconditional ceasefire, and establishing a reliable and lasting peace that would prevent further conflict. He referred to the meeting as "very symbolic" and noted its potential to become historic if they could achieve joint results.
Trump's administration has been intensifying pressure on Ukraine to accept a proposal aimed at ending the war, which reportedly includes the U.S. recognizing Russia's de jure occupation of Crimea and de facto acceptance of Moscow's control over other occupied territories in eastern and southern Ukraine. This proposal has faced significant pushback from Kyiv and its European allies, who insist that territorial questions should only be addressed after a full ceasefire is established.
As the two leaders engaged in discussions, European officials had been advocating for the meeting to help bridge differences and advance peace talks. Following their private meeting, Zelensky and Trump were seen alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, highlighting the collaborative effort among Western leaders to resolve the conflict.
Following the meeting, Trump departed for the U.S. after also meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. An undisclosed source informed RBC-Ukraine that a second meeting planned for later that day did not occur, as the main issues had already been discussed.
In the lead-up to the meeting, Trump had remarked that Russia and Ukraine were "very close to a deal," following discussions between his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Witkoff's talks were described as "constructive and very useful," bringing the U.S. and Russian positions closer on various international issues, including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
As the funeral service began, Zelensky and Trump sat a short distance apart, with Macron and other heads of state between them. During the service, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered a homily that echoed Pope Francis's calls for peace, stating, "War always leaves the world worse than it was before: it is always a painful and tragic defeat for everyone."
Despite the apparent progress made during their meeting, significant hurdles remain in the peace negotiations. Trump has warned that the U.S. could withdraw from the talks if a deal is not reached soon, further complicating the situation for Ukraine, which has been under increasing pressure to concede territory as part of any peace agreement.
In a recent statement, Zelensky reiterated the necessity for a complete and unconditional ceasefire as a prerequisite for any discussions regarding territorial disputes. He stated, "We are ready for dialogue, I emphasize again, in any format with anyone, but only after a real signal that Russia is ready to end the war. Such a signal is a complete and unconditional ceasefire."
As the conflict continues to escalate, the urgency for a diplomatic resolution grows. The meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the Vatican marks a pivotal moment in the search for peace, with both leaders recognizing the potential for historic outcomes should they successfully navigate the complex landscape of international relations and conflicting national interests.
In addition to the ongoing discussions about peace, Zelensky has highlighted the need for robust security guarantees for Ukraine, particularly in light of the recent wave of Russian missile strikes that resulted in the deaths of twelve individuals. The proposed "Ukraine Deal Framework" suggests a full and unconditional ceasefire and robust security guarantees from the U.S., though it notably lacks specific references to Crimea, a contentious issue that remains a red line for Kyiv.
As the situation remains fluid, the international community watches closely, hoping for a breakthrough that could lead to a lasting peace in the region.
