Former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met privately on Saturday in Rome, just hours before attending the funeral of Pope Francis, marking a significant moment in ongoing international efforts to end the war between Ukraine and Russia.
According to White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, the discussion between Trump and Zelenskyy was described as a “very productive session,” though he noted that additional details would be released at a later time. The private meeting comes amid growing speculation about a potential breakthrough in negotiations aimed at ending the two-year-long conflict.
The Rome meeting was the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy since their highly publicized and tense meeting in the White House in February, which had been overshadowed by disagreements over U.S. support for Ukraine and broader geopolitical strategy.
Late Friday evening, Trump had fueled anticipation by posting an update on his social media platform, signaling notable progress in the peace process. Citing Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s earlier meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Trump declared it had been “a good day in talks and meetings with Russia and Ukraine.” He went further to suggest that Kyiv and Moscow were now “very close to a deal,” and urged for negotiations to advance to “very high levels” to finalize an agreement.
“Most of the major points are agreed to,” Trump stated. “Stop the bloodshed, NOW. We will be wherever is necessary to help facilitate the END to this cruel and senseless war!” However, he did not provide specifics about what concessions had been reached or what issues remained unresolved.
During the somber proceedings at Pope Francis’ funeral, President Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, were seated approximately seven seats away from Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump. Former President Joe Biden and former First Lady Jill Biden were also in attendance, seated several rows behind Trump and Zelenskyy, underscoring the historic and politically complex atmosphere of the day.
Why This Meeting Matters
The Trump-Zelenskyy meeting is significant for several reasons. First, it hints at a renewed American engagement in brokering peace between Ukraine and Russia, even outside official diplomatic channels traditionally managed by the current administration. Trump’s assertions that a deal is near—if substantiated—would represent the most optimistic assessment of the conflict’s endgame in months.
Moreover, the private nature of the conversation, coupled with Trump’s public comments, raises questions about the next steps: whether formal peace talks will soon be announced, what role Trump or U.S. intermediaries might play, and how this could affect ongoing U.S. and NATO policy toward the conflict.
What’s Next?
While Trump has promised that more information will follow, as of Saturday evening, neither the Ukrainian government nor the Kremlin had issued formal statements confirming progress toward a peace deal. Diplomats and analysts are now closely watching for signs of an impending high-level summit or framework agreement that could halt the fighting, which has devastated parts of Ukraine and unsettled global markets.
In the meantime, attention will likely focus on how Trump’s comments and involvement are received both internationally and domestically, particularly with the 2024 U.S. presidential election cycle looming.
