Rome, Italy: US President Donald Trump has questioned Vladimir Putin’s willingness to end the war in Ukraine following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Pope Francis’s funeral.
Posting on social media after leaving Rome, Trump expressed concerns that Putin may not want peace, especially after Moscow’s recent missile strikes on Kyiv.
Trump suggested that Putin could be ‘tapping him along,’ adding that there was no reason for attacks on civilian areas. This was the first face-to-face meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy since their February clash at the White House, where Trump had told Zelenskyy he ‘didn’t have the cards’ to win against Russia.
Despite Trump’s critical remarks, the White House described their 15-minute meeting as ‘very productive,’ while Zelenskyy called it ‘symbolic’ with ‘potential to become historic.
Earlier, Trump had indicated that Russia and Ukraine were ‘very close to a deal’ following talks between his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Putin. The Kremlin confirmed Russia’s readiness for direct talks with Ukraine, but Trump remained sceptical about Putin’s intentions, questioning if he truly wanted peace.
Meetings in Rome
In Rome, Trump and Zelenskyy were seen in deep conversation at St. Peter’s Basilica, with the two leaders sitting side by side during the funeral. Ukrainian officials later shared an image of the meeting, with the implication that UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron had helped bring the two together.
Afterward, Zelenskyy met Macron and Starmer for further discussions, while Trump departed immediately. Trump had previously pressured Ukraine to accept territorial concessions, including giving up Crimea, a notion Zelenskyy has repeatedly rejected.
In a post on X, Macron said that, ending the war in Ukraine was an objective that “we share in common with President Trump”, adding that Ukraine was ready for an unconditional ceasefire.
However, Zelenskyy remains open to a ‘full and unconditional ceasefire’ to facilitate peace talks.
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