On a solemn day marked by the funeral of Pope Francis, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy found a quiet moment to meet privately in Rome — a conversation a White House official described as “very productive.”
The encounter, confirmed briefly by Zelenskiy’s office without revealing much more, was significant. It was their first face-to-face meeting since a tense exchange at the White House back in February — a meeting many remember for its strained atmosphere. This time, however, the mood seemed different.
“President Trump and President Zelenskyy met privately today and had a very productive discussion. More details about the meeting will follow,” said Steven Cheung, White House communications director.
Their discussion comes at a critical juncture, with Trump pushing hard for a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. Just a day earlier, he had announced that his envoys were making headway with Russian leaders, and urged Kyiv and Moscow to sit down for a high-level meeting to hammer out a final peace deal.
Trump has made it clear: if progress stalls, the U.S. might step back from its peace-brokering efforts. And despite shuttle diplomacy in recent days, tensions are rising. According to documents seen by Reuters, Washington’s proposals — including legal recognition of Crimea as Russian territory — are clashing with Ukraine’s firm stance and that of its European allies. Key sticking points like the timing of lifting sanctions on Russia, Ukraine’s security guarantees, and financial compensation are still unresolved.
Meanwhile, memories of February’s Oval Office meeting still linger. At that time, Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticized Zelenskiy, accusing him of ingratitude for U.S. aid. A conservative media reporter even chided Zelenskiy for not wearing a suit — a remark that missed the deeper symbolism behind Zelenskiy’s choice of attire.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Zelenskiy has deliberately chosen military-style clothing over formal suits — a quiet, powerful gesture of solidarity with the soldiers and citizens defending Ukraine.
And true to form, at Saturday’s meeting in Rome, Zelenskiy once again stood firm in his message. Wearing a dark shirt buttoned to the neck, no tie, and a military-style jacket, he embodied the resilience of his nation — a man carrying the weight of a war-torn country even in the most sacred halls of the Vatican.
