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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
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RFI

Zelensky, Trump discuss new path to peace at Pope’s funeral

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump, talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican, Saturday, 26 April 2025. AP

Amid global mourning in Rome, the US and Ukrainian presidents held impromptu talks in St. Peter's Basilica as France and the EU reiterate their unwavering support for Kyiv.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump held a brief but potentially historic meeting in St Peter’s Basilica, ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday.

The encounter, their first since a tense Oval Office exchange earlier this year, focused on a possible unconditional ceasefire with Russia.

Zelensky described the meeting as "very symbolic" and expressed hope that it could deliver meaningful progress towards ending the war.

"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," Zelensky wrote on X.

Posting on Truth Social after the funeral, Trump questioned whether Putin genuinely sought peace, suggesting that Moscow’s recent missile strikes on civilian areas indicated otherwise.

"It makes me think that maybe he doesn't want to stop the war," Trump wrote, hinting at the possibility of new economic measures, such as banking restrictions or secondary sanctions.

Global leaders and faithful mourn, as the world bids farewell to Pope Francis

'Positive exchanges'

The war in Ukraine cast a sombre shadow over the day’s proceedings in Rome, with Russia claiming to have seized full control of the Kursk border region – a claim disputed by Kyiv.

Alongside their private discussion, Trump and Zelensky also briefly conferred with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron inside the basilica.

Macron's office characterised these exchanges as "positive", and the French leader later held a separate meeting with Zelensky to discuss further support for Ukraine.

Starmer and Zelensky reportedly discussed recent "positive progress" in Ukraine’s military and diplomatic efforts, with a commitment to "continue working intensively with international partners" to shape the next phase of planning.

Russia's ‘Easter truce’ insincere, says France ahead of new Ukraine peace talks

'Europe will always stand by Ukraine'

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s steadfast support for Ukraine following her own meeting with Zelensky in Rome.

"Europe will always stand by Ukraine in the pursuit of peace," she pledged in a statement, emphasising the EU’s commitment to a just and lasting peace settlement.

The meeting between Trump and Zelensky comes at a time of heightened uncertainty, with Russia indicating it is open to renewed talks with Ukraine "without preconditions" following discussions between Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff.

War in Ukraine shifts France's weapons industry into high gear

'Discreet diplomacy'

The funeral drew an extraordinary array of global dignitaries, with Trump in particular drawing attention from dozens of leaders keen to address his administration’s recent imposition of new tariffs.

Nevertheless, it was his meeting with Zelensky that attracted the most scrutiny, as the US president continues to push for a negotiated settlement to the conflict.

Both sides had left open the possibility of a meeting in Rome, but kept details vague, citing the solemnity of the occasion.

Trump later remarked that holding meetings during a papal funeral was "a little disrespectful", though he acknowledged the significance of the talks with Zelensky.

Trump, meanwhile, struck a more sceptical tone regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions.
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