US President Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday before the funeral of Pope Francis. The meeting, held at St. Peter’s Basilica, marked their first face-to-face discussion since their clash in the Oval Office earlier this year.
Photographs released by the Ukrainian government showed both leaders sitting across from each other, signaling a serious exchange of ideas. Zelenskyy described the encounter as “symbolic,” with the hope that it could lead to meaningful results. He shared his optimism on social media, stating that they discussed many important issues and hoped for progress in all areas. He emphasized the importance of protecting the people of Ukraine and securing lasting peace.
Direct Discussion After Tensions
This spontaneous meeting came as a contrast to the recent public disagreements between the two leaders. While many observers hoped the meeting would help advance peace efforts, Trump quickly voiced his doubts after leaving the funeral.
Trump Criticizes Putin’s Actions
On social media, Trump questioned Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions, pointing out that Putin had no reason to attack civilian areas. He also suggested that Putin might not genuinely want peace and may be deceiving the world. Trump further proposed that Putin must face additional sanctions, urging that the situation has already led to too many casualties.
Trump’s remarks on social media came as a surprise, especially after his earlier comments on Friday, when he had expressed optimism about the peace talks, stating that both sides were “very close to a deal.” He based his positive outlook on recent discussions between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin in Moscow.
Putin’s Absence at the Funeral and Escalating Attacks
Putin did not attend Pope Francis’ funeral, as he faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. Meanwhile, Russia has ramped up its attacks on Ukraine in recent months, including a deadly missile strike on Kyiv on Thursday that claimed the lives of 12 people.
Since launching its invasion in February 2022, Russia has seized several Ukrainian regions, including Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. Russia also annexed Crimea in 2014, a strategic peninsula located along the Black Sea.
Zelenskyy Rejects Trump’s Proposal
In the midst of these tensions, Trump suggested that Ukraine might consider giving up Crimea to achieve peace with Russia. However, Zelenskyy strongly rejected this idea, citing Ukraine’s constitution. He reiterated that ceding territory would be a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Zelenskyy has remained firm in his stance that the only way to achieve peace is through a full ceasefire, the protection of Ukraine’s people, and the restoration of its territorial integrity.
A Moment for Hope or Further Doubt?
While their face-to-face meeting signaled a willingness to discuss difficult issues, Trump’s post-funeral comments cast doubt on the potential for a peaceful resolution. Despite this, Zelenskyy remains hopeful that progress can be made toward ending the war, while the world watches closely for any signs of change.