Trump, Zelenskyy meet privately ahead of pope’s funeral

President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a private meeting at St. Peter’s Basilica before attending the funeral for Pope Francis. French President Emmanuel Macron also spoke to the two leaders before they sat down to talk, as per a video posted by White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung mentioned that the meeting was very productive, and more details would follow. Zelenskyy expressed optimism after the meeting, stating that they discussed various issues one on one and hoped for positive outcomes. He emphasized the importance of protecting lives, achieving a ceasefire, and establishing lasting peace to prevent future conflicts.

This meeting marked the first interaction between Trump and Zelenskyy since their previous encounter in the White House Oval Office in February. Following a meeting between special envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump suggested that Russia and Ukraine were close to a deal and should engage in high-level talks to finalize it.

Trump also took to social media to address the ongoing conflict, urging Putin to cease missile attacks on civilian areas. He expressed concerns about the escalating violence and emphasized the need for a resolution to the war. Zelenskyy and his wife were seated near Trump and Melania Trump at the funeral, with former President Biden and first lady Jill Biden seated a few rows behind.

Overall, the meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy signifies a potential step towards diplomatic resolutions and peace efforts in the region. The discussions held could have significant implications for future collaborations and initiatives between the two countries.