While Trump mingled with numerous world leaders at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, many eager to discuss the tariffs he imposed and other matters, it was his meeting with Zelensky that attracted the most attention. Trump has been pushing the Ukrainian president to pursue peace talks with Russia.
The two leaders met briefly on the sidelines before the funeral began, according to a spokesperson from the Ukrainian presidency. “The meeting took place and has already concluded,” said Zelensky’s spokesperson, Sergiy Nykyforov, without offering further details.
White House communications director Steven Cheung also confirmed the meeting, calling it “a very productive discussion” and promising more information would follow.
Trump and Zelensky, both accompanied by their wives, sat in the front row at the funeral, but were separated by nearly a dozen other world leaders. While Zelensky looked in Trump’s direction, they did not meet in public.
Ahead of the funeral, both sides had left the possibility of a meeting open, with Trump stating it was “possible.”
Tensions have run high since Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticised Zelensky in the Oval Office on 28 February, accusing him of ingratitude for the billions in U.S. military aid provided since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
While Trump has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease attacks on Ukraine, he has also blamed Zelensky for prolonging the war and the ongoing bloodshed.
Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 marked the beginning of the conflict, which has raged across Europe.
Trump has suggested that Zelensky accept controversial concessions, such as acknowledging Crimea – seized by Russia in 2014 – as part of Russia under any peace agreement.
Upon arriving in Rome late on Friday, Trump urged that the Russian and Ukrainian leaders meet, claiming that talks had made significant progress. “They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet at very high levels to ‘finish it off,’” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “Most of the major points are agreed to.”
On Friday, Putin discussed the possibility of direct talks with Ukraine during a meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. However, Zelensky rejected any suggestions that Ukraine give up Crimea.
Witkoff’s meeting with Putin occurred shortly after a Russian general was killed in a car bomb attack outside Moscow.
Trump, increasingly frustrated by the lack of progress, threatened to walk away from peace talks if a ceasefire isn’t reached soon. Last year, Trump vowed to end the Ukraine conflict within 24 hours if elected president, though he later clarified in a Time interview that he was “speaking in jest.”
Trump’s trip to Italy, accompanied by his wife Melania, marks his first foreign visit of his second term and brings him into the spotlight at a major diplomatic event with around 50 heads of state, including 10 reigning monarchs and Prince William of Britain.
His trip comes after Trump angered European allies with sweeping tariffs, although he has since temporarily backed down from some of the most severe measures.
Trump was seen shaking hands with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and greeting French President Emmanuel Macron, a close ally. Other leaders also crowded around him after his arrival.
However, one notable figure he did not meet: his predecessor, Joe Biden. Trump, who has frequently disparaged Biden, was seated several rows ahead of him, while Biden, a devout Catholic, attended with his wife Jill.
In previous years, presidents have often brought their predecessors along on Air Force One for papal funerals.
Official Vatican photos showed Trump and Melania stopping by the Pope’s closed coffin at St. Peter’s Basilica after arriving in the Vatican. Trump, dressed in a dark blue suit and tie, and Melania, wearing a black veil, then took their seats in the front row for the service.
Trump had previously stated that any meetings would be brief and added, “Frankly, it’s a little disrespectful to have meetings when you’re at the funeral of the pope.”
Trump is scheduled to return to the United States later on Saturday after a brief visit to the Eternal City.
