On April 26, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a brief but significant private meeting at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City before the funeral of Pope Francis. This marked the first face-to-face conversation between the two leaders since a tense White House meeting in February, which had strained their relationship.
Described as “very productive” by White House officials, the 15-minute discussion focused on peace negotiations regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy later referred to the meeting as “good” and expressed hope that it could lead to historic progress in resolving the conflict.
Trump, who has been vocal about his skepticism toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, also criticized Putin’s recent missile attacks on Ukrainian civilians and called for an immediate peace agreement. The Vatican, with its symbolic importance, set the stage for this high-level diplomatic encounter aimed at fostering global peace efforts.
The meeting signals a potential shift in U.S. engagement with Ukraine and underscores the international community’s commitment to resolving the crisis in Ukraine.
