Trump Talks Peace with Zelensky, Casts Doubt on Putin’s Desire to End War

US President Donald Trump raised doubts about Vladimir Putin’s real intentions in ending the Ukraine war. After meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome, Trump posted his concerns online. He said he feared Putin was “tapping me along” after Russia’s latest missile strikes on Kyiv. Trump added, there was “no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas.”

Private Talks at St. Peter’s Basilica

Earlier that day, Trump and Zelensky had a private conversation inside St. Peter’s Basilica before Pope Francis’s funeral began.
The White House later described the 15-minute meeting as “very productive.” Meanwhile, Zelensky said the meeting had the “potential to become historic.”

Tense History Between Trump and Zelensky

This meeting was their first since February’s tense Oval Office encounter. Back then, Trump had told Zelensky, “you don’t have the cards,” suggesting Ukraine was losing the fight against Russia. He repeated the same view this week, saying Zelensky had “no cards to play.”

On Truth Social, Trump criticized Russia’s attacks. He wrote, “makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?'”

Russia Claims Readiness for Talks

Earlier, Trump said Russia and Ukraine were “very close to a deal” after his envoy, Steve Witkoff, held three hours of talks with Putin. Furthermore, the Kremlin confirmed on Saturday that Putin told Witkoff Russia was ready for direct talks with Ukraine “without preconditions.”

Powerful Images from the Meeting

Photos from Rome captured Trump and Zelensky sitting across from each other. Trump wore a blue suit, and Zelensky wore a black top and trousers. They appeared deep in conversation.

Additionally, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted a photo of the meeting on X. He wrote, “No words are needed to describe the importance of this historic meeting. Two leaders working for peace in St. Peter’s Basilica.”

Another image showed Trump and Zelensky standing with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron placed a supportive hand on Zelensky’s shoulder, suggesting that both Macron and Starmer helped bring the two leaders together.

A Symbolic Walk and Crowds’ Applause

After the meeting, Trump and Zelensky walked together down the steps of the basilica. Crowds applauded Zelensky’s arrival. Both leaders then took front-row seats for the funeral service.

During the service, they sat close but separated by Macron and other leaders. In his homily, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re remembered Pope Francis’s call for peace. “‘Build bridges, not walls’ was an exhortation he repeated many times,” said the cardinal.

No Second Meeting with Trump

Afterwards, Ukrainian officials spoke about a possible second meeting. However, Trump’s motorcade quickly left St. Peter’s Basilica. Soon after, his plane took off from Rome.

Meanwhile, Zelensky stayed for other important meetings. He met Macron at Villa Bonaparte, the French embassy to the Holy See. He also met Starmer at Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence, and held talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Leaders Emphasize the Need for Peace

Later, Macron posted on X that ending the Ukraine war was a goal “we share in common with President Trump.” He added that Ukraine was ready for “an unconditional ceasefire.”

Similarly, a Downing Street spokesperson said Starmer and Zelensky discussed the “positive progress” toward a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine.” They agreed to “maintain momentum” and “speak again at the earliest opportunity.”

Pressure on Ukraine for Concessions

Back in February, during the heated White House meeting, Trump had accused Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three” by refusing ceasefire plans from Washington.

Since then, Trump has pressured Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Moscow. Reports suggest this could include giving up large areas of land, including Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

Nevertheless, Zelensky has firmly rejected these ideas. Speaking to the BBC on Friday, he said, “a full and unconditional ceasefire opens up the possibility to discuss everything.”