Meeting of Leaders: Zelensky and Trump Converge Ahead of Pope’s Funeral

Zelensky and Trump engage in discussions amid significant diplomatic context related to Ukraine and Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump had a notable meeting in Rome before the funeral of Pope Francis, a gathering that drew numerous world leaders. Officials confirmed the talks took place, which were characterized by the White House as "very productive," although specifics of their discussion remain undisclosed.

Both leaders were in attendance for the funeral service in Vatican City alongside figures such as Prince William, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron. This high-profile meeting preceded Trump’s recent comments indicating that Russia and Ukraine might be nearing an agreement, following the discussions involving his envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow a day earlier.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung indicated that additional details about the private meeting would be released in the coming days. Witkoff's engagement in Russia marked his fourth visit this year, and Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov, noted that the lengthy discussions were deemed "very useful," implying a move toward aligning the Russian and US stances not only regarding Ukraine but also other global matters, including talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives.