U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a brief moment together during the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome.
The World leaders were pictured at the St. Peter’s Basilica speaking “one-on-one” about possible peace overtures in the Russia-Ukraine war.
“[It was a] good meeting. We discussed a lot one-on-one,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X. “Hoping for results on everything we covered.”
The Ukrainian leader praised the informal mini-summit as “very symbolic.”
Good meeting. We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to… pic.twitter.com/q4ZhVXCjw0
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 26, 2025
They discussed “protecting [the] lives of our people,” a “full and unconditional ceasefire,” and “reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out,” Zelenskyy said.
The discussion “has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results,” he added.
The talk took place while the leaders were at the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis, who tirelessly advocated for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino also shared footage of the meeting, including Vatican officials arranging the ornate chairs for the two leaders to sit in.
Behind Scenes, Vatican City—President Trump sat down to meet privately with Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine this morning in St. Peter’s Basilica… pic.twitter.com/zzC78AgbNh
— Dan Scavino (@Scavino47) April 26, 2025