Trump meets Zelensky, then threatens new sanctions against Russia

ROME - In a remarkable instance of informal diplomacy, former U.S. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and President Donald Trump had a private conversation on Saturday, just before Pope Francis' funeral at St. Peter’s Basilica. The encounter, lasting approximately 15 minutes, took place against the backdrop of renewed tensions over the U.S. role in brokering an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The conversation, as stated by the Office of the President of Ukraine, took place inside the Basilica itself shortly before the arrival of additional world dignitaries. The two leaders are seen speaking face-to-face in a photo that was released by the government of Ukraine and is credited to Getty Images. They are surrounded by aides. The brief meeting represented a symbolic reengagement between Trump and Zelensky, whose diplomatic relationship has been fraught since Trump's first term. Zelensky, in Rome as part of a broader diplomatic push, used the occasion to argue against a proposed U.S. peace plan that Kyiv believes favors Moscow. According to reports, the proposal, which is secretly supported by a number of Washington officials, calls for Ukraine to accept a temporary ceasefire while ceding de facto control of occupied territories to Russia, which Kyiv finds unacceptable. Zelensky said that his conversation with Trump was "constructive" after the funeral. He stressed how important it was for the United States to keep supporting the country and the dangers of making a peace deal too soon. "There can be no peace at the cost of Ukrainian sovereignty," he said in a televised statement. "We hope for continued bipartisan support in defending democracy and international law," Ukraine said. "We thank President Trump for the opportunity to share the position of Ukraine." Trump, meanwhile, offered a notably different tone in follow-up remarks posted to his social media platform, Truth Social. He expressed dissatisfaction with what he views as a prolonged and costly conflict and criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for escalating attacks on civilian infrastructure. “I had a meaningful talk with President Zelensky today,” Trump wrote. "Both sides should quickly negotiate to end the suffering in Ukraine. If this is not the case, we are seriously considering imposing additional sanctions, tariffs, and monetary penalties on Russia until peace is established. He further added that “Putin has shown no real interest in peace,” calling recent missile strikes on Ukrainian cities “cowardly” and “unacceptable in the 21st century.” Trump did not say what the new sanctions might look like, but advisers have said that they might put restrictions on Russian energy exports, shipping, and banking. The conversation took place during what has been described by analysts as a critical moment in the war. In recent weeks, Russia has launched one of its largest missile and drone offensives in months, targeting Ukrainian power stations, water systems, and military bases. Ukrainian officials reported 58 missiles and nearly 200 drones were fired during a single night raid last week. In response, Kyiv has urgently appealed to Western allies for more air defense systems and energy infrastructure support.

However, as the aftermath of the 2024 election continues to reshape American foreign policy, Trump's statements indicate a shift, or at least a recalibration, in the United States' approach to Ukraine. Military aid to Ukraine was paused earlier this year after Trump questioned the strategic value of an open-ended commitment, triggering concern among European allies and members of Congress. Intelligence sharing between Washington and Kyiv has also reportedly been scaled back, although the Pentagon denies any full withdrawal of support.

“Trump clearly wants to reassert American influence, but in a way that brings the war to a close,” said Dr. Lena Horowitz, a foreign policy analyst at the Atlantic Council. “His approach is pragmatic but controversial — pushing for peace talks while threatening Russia with sanctions, rather than more weapons for Ukraine.”

Trump and Zelensky weren't the only ones who attended the Vatican meeting. According to multiple sources, including *Hurriyet Daily News*, the two leaders were briefly joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a quiet corner of the Basilica. Though no formal statements were issued afterward, observers believe this may signal an effort to coordinate a more unified Western position as diplomatic momentum builds.

For Zelensky, the timing was critical. The Ukrainian leader is under increasing pressure at home, both militarily and politically. Public confidence has been shaken by fears of a spring offensive and domestic energy shortages, and Ukrainian lawmakers are becoming increasingly vocal in their criticism of the West's waning commitment. Even though Pope Francis' funeral was a solemn occasion, Zelensky was able to present his case on an unusually symbolic stage at the Vatican. “This was not just a funeral,” said a Ukrainian official familiar with the meeting. “It was a rare chance to speak to powerful leaders all at once — and remind them what’s still at stake.”

In the near future, senior officials from the United States and Ukraine are anticipated to meet in Riyadh at the beginning of May for private discussions regarding the specifics of a potential ceasefire agreement.