U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met privately on Saturday at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, aiming to revive stalled peace efforts in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The 15-minute discussion occurred ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral, which both leaders attended.​

Zelenskiy described the meeting as potentially historic, emphasizing the pursuit of an unconditional ceasefire and lasting peace. Trump, in a subsequent social media post, condemned recent Russian missile attacks on civilian areas, suggesting that President Vladimir Putin might not be committed to ending the war. He hinted at the possibility of implementing “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions” if hostilities persist.​

The meeting marks the first encounter between the two leaders since a contentious Oval Office meeting in February. Both sides acknowledged the significance of the dialogue, with Trump advocating for a swift resolution and Zelenskiy hopeful that U.S. pressure could influence Russia’s stance.​

Source: Reuters