While more than 250,000 people gathered to Pope Francis’ funeral in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday morning (26), world leaders took the opportunity to hold high -level meetings before and after the celebrations.
Before the funeral, Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump met in St. Peter’s Basilica. The White House is intensifying its efforts to close an agreement that end the war between Russia and Ukraine.
This was the first face -to -face meeting of the leaders since the disastrous meeting at the White House in February. In X, Zelensky wrote that “expects results” in everything that was addressed, and considering the meeting as “very symbolic, with a bridle to become historical.”
Good Meeting. We Discussed A Lot One On One. Hoping for results on Everything We Covered. Protecting Lives of Our People. FULL AND UNCONDITIONAL CEASEFIRE. RELIBLE AND LASTING PEACE that Will Prevent Another War from Breaking Out. Very Symbolic Meeting that has potential to… pic.twitter.com/Q4ZHVXCJW0
– Volodymyr Zelensky / володимир зеленсььий (@zelenskyua) April 26, 2025
After departing from Rome, Trump published a text on the Social Truth, where he raised the possibility of applying new sanctions to Moscow and questioned whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would be really interested in peace.
Although Putin did not attend the funeral, the Russian leader told a special US envoy that he is ready to start direct negotiations with Ukraine, and to do so without any preview, the Russian state media said.
Trump also talked briefly with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, quickly interacted with Estonian and Finnish leaders and squeezed the hand of French President Emmanuel Macron during the Peace Mass.
Conversations with European leaders
Zelensky met British Prime Minister Keir Stmerer, where the two discussed recent meetings between Ukraine, the US and European leaders. “We need to keep the pace” of recent negotiations, Starmer wrote later at X.
Good to See President @Zelenskyua In Rome.
We Discussed Positive Progress Made in Recent Days to Secure the Just and Lasting Peace in Ukraine.
We must maintain the momentum. pic.twitter.com/j263gsl5dp
– Keir Stmerer (@keir_starmer) April 26, 2025
The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni received Zelensky at Palazzo Chigi, headquarters of the Italian government, where her office said she reiterated her support for Trump’s work in peace negotiations, which diverges from other European leaders’ efforts.
“The prime minister greeted Ukraine’s full availability for an immediate ceasefire. Now, Russia is expected to also demonstrate her willingness to seek peace,” the office said.
Emmanuel Macron posted a photo alongside Zelensky in the X, where he wrote that ending the war in Ukraine “is a goal we share with the president of the United States (Donald) Trump.”
“Ukraine is ready for an unconditional ceasefire. President Zelensky told me that again today. He would like to work with Americans and Europeans to put him into practice,” he added.
Very Positive Exchange Today with President @Zelenskyua In Rome.
Ending the War in Ukraine – This is the Goal We Share with President Trump.
UKRAINE IS READY FOR ANCONDITIONAL CEASEFIRE. President Zelensky Reaffrimed it to me today… pic.twitter.com/7hl2lwnalg
– Emmanuel Macron (@emmanuelmacron) April 26, 2025
This content was originally published in world leaders discuss war in Ukraine during the Pope’s funeral on CNN Brazil.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
