Rome (Washington Insider Magazine) – US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held off-the-cuff talks in St Peter Basilica to discuss the ways to resume the process of the Ukrainian conflict’s settlement. It was the first time they spoke in person since a much more hostile encounter in the White House’s Oval Office in February, which took only 15 minutes.
Zelensky called the talks “very productive” and hinted at a potential breakthrough, stating on Telegram:
“This meeting could become historic if we achieve joint results.”
A White House spokesperson echoed the sentiment, praising the “substantive” dialogue.
What Did Trump Say About Putin After the Meeting?
As Air Force One departed Rome, Trump took to Truth Social with uncharacteristically sharp criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, referencing a recent missile strike that killed 12 civilians in Kyiv:
“There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas… Maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war. Too many people are dying!!!”
He floated escalating economic pressure, suggesting “Banking or Secondary Sanctions” if Russia refuses to de-escalate.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham swiftly backed Trump’s shift, announcing bipartisan Senate readiness to impose trade sanctions on nations buying Russian oil and gas unless Moscow pursues “an honourable, just, and enduring peace.”
Diverging Red Lines: Crimea and Ceasefire Demands
Behind the scenes, tensions persist. Documents obtained by Reuters reveal a gap between Trump’s proposals and Ukraine’s non-negotiables:
- The US has pushed for legal recognition of Crimea as Russian territory—a move Kyiv and European allies reject.
- Zelensky reiterated demands for a “complete and unconditional ceasefire” and guarantees against future Russian aggression.
World Leaders React: Symbolism and Skepticism
The meeting’s imagery—leaders huddled in the basilica’s grandeur—drew global attention. In one photo, Trump and Zelensky leaned in intently with no aides present. Another showed British PM Keir Starmer and France’s Emmanuel Macron joining them, Macron’s hand resting on Zelensky’s shoulder in a gesture of solidarity.
Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, delivering the pope’s funeral homily, underscored the urgency: “War always leaves the world worse than it was before.” Pope Francis had long pleaded for Ukrainian peace, a legacy Trump invoked by holding the talks in the Vatican.
Trump has warned he may withdraw mediation efforts if progress stalls. With Ukraine’s counteroffensive struggling and US elections looming, the basilica meeting may mark a pivotal moment—or merely another pause in a protracted war.
Diverging Positions on Crimea and Ceasefire
The optimistic tone notwithstanding, many differences still exist between the US and Ukraine regarding the current condition of the conflict and the possibility of a ceasefire agreement. New diplomatic documents released to Reuters include recent meetings that suggest that the Trump administration has been keen on legally accepting Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
This has drawn strong opposition from Kyiv and other European partners, who see it as a loss of principles.
At the same time, Zelensky re-emphasized the Ukrainian government’s core conditions: the withdrawal of Russian troops, punishment for war criminals, and assurances against further aggression.
The Ukrainian president has pointedly refused any deal that would require Ukraine give up sovereign territory in exchange for a ceasefire.
A Moment of Symbolism Amid Global Mourning
The conversation between Trump and Zelensky occurred in the strict framework of the Pope Francis funeral, which had leaders from all over the world attending.
During the papacy of the previous pontiff, the issue of peace in Ukraine was reiterated time and time again in his speeches, as well as in today’s homily held by the Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.
“War always leaves the world worse than it was before: it is always a painful and tragic defeat for everyone,”
the cardinal said, urging reconciliation.
Photographs leaked from the meeting are as follows: President Trump met with Mr. Zelensky on the occasion, and photographs taken in the White House revealed that the two presidents were alone, sitting only at a distance of two feet from each other.
One of them showed them together with the UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the other one together with French President Emmanuel Macron, who put a calming hand on Zelensky’s shoulder.
