Trump and Ukraine's President Zelenskyy hold a one-on-one meeting within the Vatican Basilica, aiming to negotiate Ukrainian peace.
Fresh Take:
In the heart of historical Rome, the dance of politics unfolded as Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the ghost of the past, Donald Trump, squared off in a poignant meeting within the hallowed halls of St. Peter's Basilica. The conversation, sans any aides, aimed to renew faltering efforts to put a halt to Russia's long-standing conflict with Ukraine.
Zelenskyy heralded the meeting as potentially historic, hoping for the peace he so yearns for. A White House spokesperson, ever the diplomat, deemed it "very productive."
The powerhouse duo engaged in a cozy 15-minute tête-à-tête, seated intimately, with no aides around them, as per Zelenskyy's office and images disseminated by both Kyiv and Washington.
The meeting, their first since a dramatic standoff in the Oval Office in February, materialized at a crucial juncture in negotiations intended to quell the fighting between Ukraine and Russia.
Post-Francis's funeral service, Trump embarked on Air Force One, leaving Rome in his wake. En route, he vented on social media, taking a hard stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Enough is enough!" Trump declared, lamenting the loss of innocent lives due to Putin's missile attacks on civilian areas.
Republican U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham seized the opportunity, pledging to move ahead on bipartisan legislation imposing trade sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, and other goods.
Trump's fiery post marked a departure from his typical rhetoric, which had seen his most searing criticism reserved for Zelenskyy, while Reserve remarks for Putin were generally positive.
Zelenskyy reciprocated, posting on social media, "Good meeting. We covered a lot in our one-on-one discussion. Our focus was on the protection of our people, a complete and unconditional ceasefire, and a lasting peace to prevent future conflict."
Issues of contention included safeguarding lives, achieving a comprehensive truce, and ensuring a lasting peace, with Zelenskyy expressing gratitude to Trump in a closing note, "A very symbolic meeting with the potential to become historic if we achieve joint results. Thank you, President Donald Trump!"
The meeting, devoid of aides, created a striking image. In one photograph released by Zelenskyy's office, the two leaders were seen in close quarters, seemingly engaged in an intense conversation, with no aides present in the image.
In another photograph from the same location, Zelenskyy, Trump, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron were captured in a tight huddle, with Macron laying a comforting hand on Zelenskyy's shoulder.
Following the Basilica meeting, the two leaders joined other world leaders outside in Saint Peter's Square for Pope Francis's funeral service. The pursuit of peace, including in Ukraine, was a recurring theme throughout Francis's papacy.
Italian Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, during his sermon, expressed Cardinal Francis's ardent plea for negotiations to end conflicts, stating, "War always leaves the world worse than it was before; it is always a painful and tragic defeat for everyone."
However, differences persist between the Trump White House's vision for peace talks and Ukraine and its European allies' stance, as per documents obtained by Reuters from the talks.
Washington proposes legal recognition of Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014, as Russian territory. Kyiv and its European allies vehemently oppose such a move, deeming it a non-negotiable red line.
Additionally, there are differences regarding the pace of sanctions lifting, security guarantees for Ukraine, and financial compensation for Ukraine should a peace deal be signed.
Trump and Zelenskyy have had a tumultuous relationship, with their bitter exchanges dating back to their Oval Office encounter in February. During their last meeting, Trump accused Zelenskyy of playing with "World War Three."
Since then, Kyiv has made efforts to mend fences, but the barbs have continued to fly. Zelenskyy has accused Trump of being trapped in a "disinformation bubble" favoring Moscow, while the U.S. leader has accused Zelenskyy of foot-dragging on a peace deal and making incendiary statements.
However, the two leaders are bound together. Trump needs Zelenskyy's endorsement to successfully broker a swift peace between Russia and Ukraine, while Kyiv requires Trump's pressure on Moscow to soften its tough stances on a truce.
The reporter present during the Oval Office meeting from a conservative U.S. news network accused Zelenskyy of disrespecting the occasion by not wearing a suit. In contrast, Zelenskyy, since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, has opted for military-style attire, expressing his solidarity with his war-torn nation. In Rome, Zelenskyy once again declined to wear a suit, instead sporting a smart, no-nonsense shirt, jacket, and no tie combo.
- The Vatican hosted a significant meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump, discussing the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which is often featured in general news and politics.
- There seems to be a bipartisan effort in the United States, led by Senator Lindsey Graham, to impose trade sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, and other goods, a move in response to the war-and-conflicts situation.
- Despite the cozy atmosphere and productive conversation during their meeting, differences remain between the Trump White House's vision for peace talks and Ukraine and its European allies' stance, particularly regarding the legal recognition of Crimea.
- Both Trump and Zelenskyy are heavily invested in achieving peace, with each leader needing the other for different reasons: Trump needs Zelenskyy's endorsement for brokerage, while Kyiv requires Trump's pressure on Moscow for softening tough stances on a truce.
