In an unexpected diplomatic encounter, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump held private talks inside St. Peter’s Basilica ahead of Pope Francis’ funeral, marking their first face-to-face meeting since a tense Oval Office confrontation in February. The 15-minute discussion, described by both sides as “productive,” occurred against the backdrop of intensified U.S.-led efforts to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine’s war with Russia.
The high-stakes meeting came just 24 hours after Trump revealed the warring nations were “very close to a deal,” following fresh negotiations between his envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed the three-hour talks had narrowed differences on Ukraine and other global issues, including potential direct Ukraine-Russia negotiations.
Photographs released by Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak showed the leaders deep in conversation inside the basilica, later joined briefly by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. The visual diplomacy underscored the funeral’s role as an impromptu summit for world leaders, though seating arrangements organized by French alphabetical order kept Zelensky and Trump separated during the service.
The encounter follows months of escalating pressure from Trump on Kyiv to consider territorial concessions, including recognition of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. While Zelensky has historically rejected such demands, stating a ceasefire could “open discussions.” The talks’ outcome may prove pivotal as Washington seeks to engineer an exit from Europe’s bloodiest conflict since WWII.
With a second Trump-Zelensky meeting planned later Saturday, the Vatican discussions could mark a turning point in the 26-month war or deepen divisions between Kyiv and its most powerful ally. As global leaders depart Rome, attention now shifts to whether this rare personal diplomacy can translate into tangible progress toward peace.
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