VATICAN CITY (Reuters) — A significant moment took place in Rome on Saturday as U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sat down for a “very productive” meeting, according to a White House official. The two leaders met during their attendance at the funeral of Pope Francis, marking their first face-to-face interaction since a heated exchange in the Oval Office back in February.
A spokesperson for Zelenskyy’s office confirmed the meeting but refrained from sharing further details, leaving much of the conversation shrouded in mystery for now. This meeting comes at a time when Ukraine is embroiled in ongoing negotiations to end the war with Russia, and tensions around peace talks remain high.
“President Trump and President Zelenskyy met privately today and had a very productive discussion. More details about the meeting will follow,” said Steven Cheung, the White House communications director.
This face-to-face conversation follows Trump’s remarks on Friday, in which he emphasized the progress his administration’s envoys had made in their talks with Russian officials. Trump reiterated his call for a high-level meeting between Kyiv and Moscow to finalize a peace deal, urging both sides to come to the table soon, warning that the U.S. would step back if no agreement is reached.
However, recent rounds of shuttle diplomacy have revealed growing divides between Washington’s stance on peace talks and the positions held by Ukraine and its European allies. Among the most contentious issues are Washington’s proposal to officially recognize Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, as Russian territory — a move that Ukraine and many European nations strongly oppose. Other points of disagreement include the timing of sanctions relief for Russia, the security guarantees for Ukraine, and the financial compensation Ukraine would receive as part of any peace deal.
The tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy are not new. Their previous Oval Office encounter in February was marked by sharp criticism, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance accusing the Ukrainian president of ingratitude for U.S. aid. On top of that, a reporter from a conservative U.S. news network sparked controversy by pointing out Zelenskyy’s casual attire, questioning his decision to forgo a suit for the meeting.
Zelenskyy, who has since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 opted for military-style attire as a symbol of solidarity with his people, maintained his choice on Saturday. In Rome, he wore a dark shirt buttoned up to the neck, paired with a military-style jacket — a powerful visual statement of his role as a leader in wartime, standing firm alongside those defending Ukraine.
