On April 26, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a significant meeting in St Peter’s Basilica, confirmed by both the White House and Zelenskyy’s office. The encounter occurred prior to a mass attended by approximately 200,000 people to commemorate Pope Francis. The Ukrainian presidency released impressive photographs of the meeting, which took place in an austere setting devoid of aides, contrasting with their last encounter, where Trump expressed disappointment over Zelenskyy’s perceived lack of gratitude amidst ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
While no recordings were made public, the tone of the meeting seemed notably serious yet civil. Zelenskyy’s spokesperson shared that the two leaders spoke privately for about 15 minutes, agreeing to engage in further discussions later that day. Trump’s director of communications described their conversation as “very productive,” hinting at potential for future negotiations.
Following their meeting, Trump attended the Pope’s funeral service alongside his wife, Melania Trump, sitting near French President Emmanuel Macron, who, along with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine. Notably, as Zelenskyy entered the square, he was greeted with enthusiastic applause from the crowd, illustrating his stature amid the ongoing conflict.
The backdrop of their meeting underscores the urgency from the White House to negotiate peace amid the prolonged war with Russia. With Trump advocating for high-level talks between Ukraine and Russia to halt the conflict, he also made a noteworthy mention in a recent interview about the possibility of Ukraine ceding territory to Russia, specifically stating that “Crimea will stay with Russia.” This sentiment has raised eyebrows, considering Ukraine’s insistence on reclaiming all territories lost to Russian aggression, including Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.
Trump’s position on the territorial dispute has become a contentious point, with Zelenskyy remaining firm on regaining Crimea and other occupied regions. Nevertheless, Trump’s statement suggests a potential rift in the approach to peace negotiations and highlights the complex dynamics at play between the leaders.
As the international community watches closely, the developments following this meeting could significantly impact the ongoing war and future diplomatic relations between Ukraine and Russia.