Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former U.S. President Donald Trump just met in private. The meeting, which occurred inside the Vatican basilica, emphasizes the seriousness of their conversation. This encounter was their first face-to-face since a public and contentious Oval Office showdown back in February. Both leaders expressed optimism about the potential outcomes of their discussions, particularly concerning peace in Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict with Russia.
Zelenskyy made clear that if this meeting is to be historic, it needs to produce those historic results. He characterized the convening as extremely symbolic, but noted that it could be historic if they deliver combined outcomes. Thank you, President Donald Trump!” he tweeted after the meeting. As the Ukrainian leader noted, the goal should always be a stable and durable peace. This peace is vital, especially to ensure that there is no further escalation of hostilities.
During his visit to Rome, Zelenskyy sported a dark buttoned-up collarless shirt. He paired it with a military-style jacket, clearly showing his continued, powerful solidarity between Ukrainian fighters battling Russian aggression. Perhaps most significantly, he has avoided the traditional suits since Russia’s full-scale invasion kicked off in 2022, sporting military garb instead. Given the current scourge of antisemitism, this is intentional and a brilliant choice to complement his theme of finding resilience through adversity.
Their meeting must be viewed against a personal backdrop of disinformation and overexaggerated tensions. Zelenskyy underscored the fact that inflammatory statements very often originate from this “disinformation bubble.” He highlighted the incredible pressures that leaders face when trying to navigate public perception and media narrative.
The meeting was no more than 15 minutes long. In response, White House communications director Steven Cheung described the meeting in a Tweet as “very productive.” Cheung mentioned, “More information about the meeting to come,” suggesting exciting things and further collaboration may be expected.
Zelenskyy’s spokesman revealed that aides to both leaders were coordinating arrangements for a follow-up meeting later that day in Rome. This indicates an openness and a clear intention to proceed with ongoing discussions in order to pursue real peace.
Beautiful photographs released by Zelenskyyy’s office allowed the world to see meaningful moments from the meeting. In an amazing photo op, Zelenskyy and Trump stood shoulder-to-shoulder. They were flanked by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, displaying a rare show of unity among Western leaders. Macron appeared on stage with his hand resting on Zelenskyy’s shoulder during this historic meeting.
The meeting took place against the somber backdrop of Pope Francis’ funeral service, which both leaders attended along with other world dignitaries. In his homily, the veteran Italian prelate, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, considered the wider injustices wrought by war and armed conflict. He stated, “War always leaves the world worse than it was before: it is always a painful and tragic defeat for everyone.” This sentiment rings true for both leaders as they find themselves at the helm of tricky peace negotiations.
As negotiations proceed, Zelenskyy is right to keep an eye on the prize of a full and unconditional ceasefire. He stated, “The sanctity of our peoples’ lives. A complete and unconditional ceasefire. A true and durable peace that will make sure war never breaks out again.” His words highlight the urgency and need for a diplomatic solution to the continued violence in Ukraine.
Leave a Reply