President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met privately in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday earlier than attending the funeral for Pope Francis.
French President Emmanuel Macron additionally spoke to Trump and Zelenskyy earlier than they sat down to speak, based on a video posted by White Home deputy chief of employees Dan Scavino.
White Home Communications Director Steven Cheung advised the press pool touring with Trump that the 2 males had a “very productive session.” Extra particulars concerning the assembly “will observe,” he stated.
“Good assembly. We mentioned rather a lot one on one,” Zelenskyy posted on X after the assembly. “Hoping for outcomes on every part we coated. Defending lives of our individuals. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Dependable and lasting peace that may forestall one other struggle from breaking out. Very symbolic assembly that has potential to change into historic, if we obtain joint outcomes.”
This was the primary assembly between the 2 males since their contentious encounter within the White Home Oval Workplace in late February.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with President Donald Trump on the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
@ermaka2022/AFP by way of Getty Photos
Late Friday, following particular envoy Steve Witkoff’s assembly with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier within the day, Trump posted that it was “an excellent day in talks and conferences with Russia and Ukraine,” and he recommended it is now time for the 2 sides to satisfy at “very excessive ranges.”
“They’re very near a deal, and the 2 sides ought to now meet, at very excessive ranges, to “end it off,” he wrote on his social media web site.
President Donald Trump and his spouse Melania Trump observe the coffin of late Pope Francis through the funeral ceremony at St Peter’s Sq. in The Vatican, April 26, 2025.
Dylan Martinez/Reuters
“A lot of the main factors are agreed to. Cease the bloodshed, NOW. We shall be wherever is critical to assist facilitate the END to this merciless and mindless struggle!” Trump added within the publish, however offered no further details about the obvious progress.
On Saturday after the assembly with Zelenskyy, Trump posted on his social media platform Reality Social that there was “no motive for Putin to be taking pictures missiles into civilian areas, cities and cities, over the previous few days.”
“It makes me assume that possibly he would not wish to cease the struggle, he is simply tapping me alongside, and must be handled in a different way, by ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many individuals are dying!!!” he stated within the publish.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends the funeral Mass of Pope Francis, on the Vatican, April 26, 2025.
Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters
Zelenskyy and his spouse, Olena Zelenska, had been seated about seven individuals away from Trump and the primary girl Melania Trump, based on the press pool.
Former President Biden and former first girl Jill Biden had been about 4 rows behind them.
