Trump and Zelenskyy Meet in Vatican for Ceasefire Talks as Trump Criticizes Putin's Motives

 In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held face-to-face talks on Saturday within the grand setting of a Vatican basilica, ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral. The meeting, aimed at exploring a possible ceasefire agreement, was described by the White House as “very productive.”

Following the talks, Trump directed pointed criticism at Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating, “It 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?' Too many people are dying!!!” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform.

Zelenskyy characterized the meeting as both symbolic and potentially transformative. Posting on X, he said the discussion “had the potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results.”

This encounter marked the first in-person meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy since a tense exchange at the White House in February, during which Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized the Ukrainian leader, accusing him of ingratitude for American aid.

Trump’s frustration with Moscow was further evident in another Truth Social post, where he condemned recent Russian strikes: “There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days.”

Efforts to mediate an end to the war, which began with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, have intensified. On Friday, Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin in Moscow for a three-hour session to discuss Washington’s peace proposal. Trump later announced that “most of the major points are agreed to,” though he provided no further details. He urged for a direct meeting between Kyiv and Moscow’s leadership to finalize a ceasefire agreement, describing a potential deal as “very close.”

Disagreements Over Peace Terms

Despite Trump's optimism, major obstacles remain. Two sets of peace plans reviewed by Reuters on Friday revealed that the U.S. proposal would allow Russia to retain control of territories it has captured, including Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014.

This proposal appears unacceptable to Kyiv and its European allies. Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine’s firm stance, stating, “Our position is unchanged. The constitution of Ukraine says that all the temporarily occupied territories … belong to Ukraine.”

The likelihood of Russia agreeing to Washington’s framework also remains uncertain, despite apparent concessions. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed on Saturday that Ukrainian troops had been forced from Russia’s Kursk region, a statement disputed by Ukrainian officials.

Technical aspects of a ceasefire, including the potential lifting of Western sanctions and the establishment of security guarantees for Ukraine, remain unresolved. Trump himself acknowledged the challenges, calling the negotiations “very fragile” and cautioning that U.S. mediation would be suspended if no agreement is reached soon.

Violence Persists Amid Diplomacy

Even as diplomatic efforts continue, fighting on the ground persists. On Friday, the Kremlin blamed Ukrainian forces for a car bombing that killed a senior Russian general near Moscow, though Kyiv declined to comment. Meanwhile, Russia launched its deadliest assault on Ukraine in months, firing 70 missiles and 145 drones primarily at Kyiv.

The scale of the attack prompted another outburst from Trump on social media. “I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!” he posted on Thursday.

As the mediation process moves forward, the world watches closely to see whether the historic meeting in the Vatican can indeed lead to a path toward peace.