President Trump and Ukrainian president Zelensky met on Saturday in Rome on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral and discussed the effort to end the war with Russia.
Why it matters: This was the first meeting between Trump and Zelensky since their explosive Oval Office shouting match in late February, which led to an unprecedented diplomatic crisis.
- The two leaders met as Trump calls for a high-level summit between Russia and Ukraine “to finish it off” and get a peace deal.
Zoom in: Trump and Zelensky first huddled for a few minutes with French President Macron and British Prime Minister Starmer, then set down for a 15-minute one-on-one meeting inside the St. Peter’s Basilica.
- “President Trump and President Zelenskyy met privately today and had a very productive discussion,” White House communications director Steven Cheung said.
What they’re saying: Zelensky posted on X that he and Trump had a “good meeting” and stressed the need for a “full and unconditional ceasefire and a reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out.”
- “Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results,” Zelensky added.
State of play: Trump presented a “final offer” to Ukraine and Russia last week to end the war. It includes U.S. recognition of Crimea as part of Russia and unofficial recognition of Russian control of nearly all areas occupied since the 2022 invasion.
- Ukraine rejected the U.S. proposal and, together with the U.K., France and Germany, gave Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg on Wednesday a counter-proposal, European diplomats say.
- The Ukrainian counter-proposal stressed that a full and unconditional ceasefire needs to be the first step ahead of any negotiations on a final peace deal.
- White House envoy Steve Witkoff met for three hours on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin and discussed the effort to end the war.
