Explained: Trump and Zelensky’s historic Vatican meeting; a new push for peace?

Trump and Zelensky's Vatican meeting sparks hope for peace efforts.

Donald Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Vatican has been hailed as historic by both sides. Whether it will help bring about a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia is uncertain, but the meeting’s symbolism and potential impact will become clearer in the coming days.

The meeting took place during the funeral of Pope Francis, and it marked the first time Trump and Zelensky had met since their heated televised exchange in the White House Oval Office in February. In Saint Peter’s Basilica, both leaders sat face-to-face in a highly charged setting that drew attention from around the world.

Positive tone from both sides

Trump described the meeting as “beautiful” and “the nicest office I’ve ever seen,” downplaying the previous row with Zelensky. His National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz, called the meeting “iconic,” adding that it would “go down in the history books” as an important moment for diplomacy.

Zelensky echoed this sentiment, calling the encounter “symbolic” and stressing that it had the potential to become historic if it resulted in concrete joint outcomes.

European leaders and broader efforts to maintain unity

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were also present, underscoring the importance of keeping Trump aligned with European powers on the issue of Ukraine. While Trump’s past statements had raised concerns about his stance on the war, this meeting appeared to shift the tone slightly.

Trump’s growing frustration with Putin

Following the Vatican meeting, Trump appeared to criticise Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in a noticeable reversal from his previous positive remarks about the Russian leader. Trump expressed disappointment over the ongoing Russian attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine, stating: “I want him to stop shooting, sit down, and sign a deal.”

This shift indicates increasing frustration with Moscow’s refusal to commit to a ceasefire, even after several rounds of diplomatic meetings. Despite the mounting tensions, Trump indicated that he would give the peace process “two weeks” to show progress.

The White House’s stance on peace process

While the Vatican meeting may have extended some diplomatic leeway, the White House reiterated its position that it will withdraw from its role as a broker unless rapid progress is made. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also remarked that the upcoming week would be “very critical,” noting that the parties are “close, but not close enough” to an agreement.

Trump’s peace efforts

In recent weeks, US special envoy Steve Witkoff has held multiple face-to-face meetings with Russian officials, including with Putin himself. However, his efforts have drawn criticism from Ukraine, accusing him of echoing Russian talking points. Witkoff, a property developer-turned-negotiator, insists he is using his deal-making experience to bring an end to the conflict.

Even within Trump’s close circle, the desire for peace is being expressed. First Lady Melania Trump marked her 55th birthday on the day of the Pope’s funeral and made a personal appeal for peace on social media, stating, “I had the honour of attending Pope Francis’s funeral, on this day, where I prayed for the healing of those who are suffering and for peace in the world.”

(With AFP inputs)