Both leaders spoke positively about their meeting.
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Voldimia Zelensky held a one-on-one discussion inside St. Peter’s Cathedral on April 26th, then attended Pope Francis’ funeral with other leaders.
A conversation took place before the funeral mass began. The vast Vatican cathedral has been closed, allowing world leaders and diplomats to visit and pay respect to the closed cos of clergy.
The photo of Trump and Zelensky sitting in the corner was shared across social media, as if they had lifted up some chairs covered in depth in the discussion.
This was the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Zelensky as a heated meeting in the oval office ended in February when Zelenskyy was asked to leave.
Many of those who shared it commented on the importance of their encounters, including Trump’s national security adviser Michael Waltz.
The White House later confirmed that a sit-in had happened.
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“President Trump and Zelenkey met personally today and had a very productive discussion,” White House communications director Stephen Chong told reporters. “Details of the meeting continue.”
There was no further discussion after the funeral. Trump and first lady Melania Trump quickly returned to the Air Force and flew back to the US.
Zelenskyy thanked Trump and said it was a good meeting.
The meeting took place less than 24 hours after Trump announced that he had announced a “good day of meetings and meetings” between Ukraine and Russia.
“They are very close to the deal and both sides should meet to “finish it” at a very high level. Most of the key points are agreed,” the president wrote about the true society. “Stop the bloodshed now. We are where we need to promote the end of this cruel, meaningless war!”
In his follow-up post to his social media platform, Trump reiterated his stance that President Barack Obama is responsible for allowing Crimea to fall into Russia’s hands, and that the ongoing conflict belongs to President Joe Biden.
However, he expressed doubt that Russian President Vladimir Putin doesn’t want peace in the end and could face more US sanctions to end the war.
Putin expressed his sadness and praised Pope Francis for his “dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church and constructive cooperation between Russia and the Holy Sea.” However, the Kremlin announced on April 22 that it would not attend the funeral.
