{"id":28932,"date":"2025-04-27T22:32:59","date_gmt":"2025-04-27T19:32:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=28932"},"modified":"2025-04-27T22:41:47","modified_gmt":"2025-04-27T19:41:47","slug":"trump-questions-putins-wilingness-to-end-ukraine-war-after-meeting-zelenskyy-at-pope-franciss-funeral","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/trump-questions-putins-wilingness-to-end-ukraine-war-after-meeting-zelenskyy-at-pope-franciss-funeral\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump questions Putin\u2019s wilingness to end Ukraine war after meeting Zelenskyy at Pope Francis\u2019s funeral"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>6 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>U.S. President Donald Trump openly questioned Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s willingness to end the war in Ukraine after a rare, high-stakes meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vatican. The meeting took place just ahead of Pope Francis\u2019s funeral on April 26, 2025.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trump said that he doubts Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to end his war in Ukraine as the United States is trying to broker peace talks. \u201cThere was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days,\u201d Trump said in a social media post as he flew back to the United States after attending Pope Francis\u2019 funeral at the Vatican.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Trump also hinted at further sanctions against Russia. \u201cIt makes me think that maybe he doesn\u2019t want to stop the war, he\u2019s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through \u201cBanking\u201d or \u201cSecondary Sanctions?\u201d Too many people are dying!!!\u201d Trump wrote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Trump-Zelenskyy meeting in Vatican<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, held inside the historic St. Peter\u2019s Basilica, lasted around 15 minutes and was described by the White House as &#8220;very productive,\u201d signaling a significant shift in tone compared to their last meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zelenskyy described it as a \u201cgood meeting\u201d that has the \u201cpotential to become historic\u201d if results are achieved. The Ukrainian leader said the talks focused on \u201cProtecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Trump and Zelenskyy meet at the Vatican before Pope Francis\u2019 funeral.<br><br>White House described the meeting as \u201cvery productive\u201d, while Zelenskyy said talks focused on \u201cfull and unconditional ceasefire\u201d and lasting peace. \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udde6 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ylMPhWZUE2\">pic.twitter.com\/ylMPhWZUE2<\/a><\/p>\u2014 IRIA (@IRIA_Research) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/IRIA_Research\/status\/1916157057553862995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 26, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br>The brief Trump-Zelenskyy meeting was a glimmer of hope for Ukrainians. Ukrainian economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko called the encounter \u201ca chance to move forward \u2014 to build real peace through strength.\u201d She added that only stronger sanctions and pressure on Russia could bring the war to an end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>First meeting after the confrontation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This was their first face-to-face exchange since February&#8217;s tense Oval Office confrontation, during which Trump reportedly told Zelenskyy, \u201cYou don&#8217;t have the cards&#8221; to defeat Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Echoing that sentiment, Trump reiterated after their Vatican conversation that Zelenskyy still had &#8220;no cards to play,&#8221; reflecting a continued skepticism about Ukraine\u2019s battlefield position. Trump has previously blamed Ukraine for prolonging the conflict and accused Zelenskyy of being an obstacle to peace negotiations.f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite these tensions, the atmosphere around their brief encounter appeared cautiously optimistic. Two images released by both American and Ukrainian officials showed Trump in a blue suit and Zelenskyy in a black top and trousers, locked in intense discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another photo, widely shared by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, showed Trump, Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron standing together inside St. Peter\u2019s Basilica. Macron\u2019s hand resting supportively on Zelenskyy\u2019s shoulder suggested European leaders had played a behind-the-scenes role in bringing the two men together.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Trump-Zelenskyy-Starmer-Macron.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"593\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Trump-Zelenskyy-Starmer-Macron.jpg?resize=1016%2C593&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer huddle with U.S. President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in St. Peter's Basilica \" class=\"wp-image-28956\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Trump-Zelenskyy-Starmer-Macron.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Trump-Zelenskyy-Starmer-Macron.jpg?resize=300%2C175&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Trump-Zelenskyy-Starmer-Macron.jpg?resize=1024%2C597&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Trump-Zelenskyy-Starmer-Macron.jpg?resize=768%2C448&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer huddle with President Trump and President Zelenskyy in St. Peter&#8217;s Basilica ahead of Pope Francis\u2019s funeral. Zelenskyy held separate talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Macron in the Vatican. (Image: Ukrainian Presidency\/UK PM Office\/X)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>As the funeral service commenced, Trump and Zelenskyy walked down the basilica\u2019s steps together, drawing applause from the crowd gathered outside. They took seats near each other in the front row, separated by Macron and other world leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Historic funeral<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The funeral itself was a historic moment. Pope Francis was mourned by hundreds of thousands gathered in St. Peter\u2019s Square and watched by millions around the world. Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re delivered the homily, emphasizing the late pope\u2019s lifelong mission of peacemaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;&#8216;Build bridges, not walls&#8217; was an exhortation he repeated many times,&#8221; the cardinal said, a poignant reminder of Francis\u2019s vision for global unity and reconciliation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Security in Rome was at an unprecedented high, with thousands of police officers, soldiers, and Vatican guards deployed throughout the city. Italian authorities also imposed a temporary no-fly zone over the capital, reflecting concerns about potential security threats given the scale of the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Political breakthroughs at the funeral<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The significance of Trump and Zelenskyy\u2019s meeting against this solemn backdrop cannot be overstated. Though it remains unclear if the meeting will lead to tangible breakthroughs, it symbolized an important, if tentative, step toward diplomacy.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/world-leaders-pope-francis-funeral.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1016\" height=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/world-leaders-pope-francis-funeral.jpg?resize=1016%2C597&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"world leaders during the funeral of Pope Francis\" class=\"wp-image-28951\" style=\"width:840px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/world-leaders-pope-francis-funeral.jpg?resize=1024%2C602&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/world-leaders-pope-francis-funeral.jpg?resize=300%2C176&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/world-leaders-pope-francis-funeral.jpg?resize=768%2C452&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/world-leaders-pope-francis-funeral.jpg?w=1360&amp;ssl=1 1360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1016px) 100vw, 1016px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><sup>U.S. President Donald Trump (front row right), Ukraine\u2019s President Volodymr Zelenskyy (front row left), and French President Emmanuel Macron are seen amongst other dignitaries during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter\u2019s Square at the Vatican on April 26, 2025. (Image Credit: AP)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Trump\u2019s recent comments have introduced new uncertainties, particularly regarding Moscow\u2019s intentions. Only days earlier, Trump had asserted that Russia and Ukraine were &#8220;very close to a deal&#8221; following three-hour negotiations between Trump\u2019s envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Putin. The Kremlin confirmed that Putin had expressed readiness to begin direct talks with Ukraine &#8220;without preconditions.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Following the funeral, Ukrainian officials suggested the possibility of a second meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy. However, Trump\u2019s motorcade left St. Peter\u2019s almost immediately after the service concluded, and his plane departed Rome shortly afterward. Zelenskyy remained in the city to hold separate discussions with European leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Zelenskyy\u2019s meetings with European leaders<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Later that afternoon, Zelenskyy met French President Emmanuel Macron in the garden of Villa Bonaparte, home to the French embassy to the Holy See. Macron, who has often positioned himself as a bridge between Washington and Kyiv, posted afterward that ending the war was an objective &#8220;we share in common with President Trump&#8221; and emphasized Ukraine\u2019s openness to an &#8220;unconditional ceasefire.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zelenskyy also met with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador&#8217;s residence, where they discussed recent progress toward securing what Downing Street called a &#8220;just and lasting peace.&#8221; Starmer\u2019s office said both leaders agreed to &#8220;maintain momentum&#8221; and &#8220;speak again at the earliest opportunity.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also met with Zelenskyy during his extended stay, highlighting the coordinated European effort to bolster Ukraine&#8217;s diplomatic position following the Vatican meetings. At the Vatican, Zelenskyy also held talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though many hurdles remain, the brief but symbolically potent encounter between Trump and Zelenskyy has rekindled hopes for new diplomatic efforts. Whether those hopes materialize into concrete outcomes will depend largely on Moscow\u2019s next moves, and on whether Trump\u2019s evolving stance translates into stronger pressure on Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">During my meeting with President <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/EmmanuelMacron?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@EmmanuelMacron<\/a>, we discussed the path toward a full and unconditional ceasefire and the need to apply pressure on Russia to establish it.<br><br>I outlined the consequences of Russian attacks on Kryvyi Rih, Sumy, and Kyiv. To protect the lives of\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/SITAo1NLBl\">pic.twitter.com\/SITAo1NLBl<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Volodymyr Zelenskyy \/ \u0412\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0434\u0438\u043c\u0438\u0440 \u0417\u0435\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0439 (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ZelenskyyUa\/status\/1916181538854650358?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 26, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>U.S. President Donald Trump openly questioned Russian President Vladimir Putin\u2019s willingness to end the war in Ukraine after a rare, high-stakes meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vatican. The meeting took place just ahead of Pope Francis\u2019s funeral.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28939,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[62,1,125],"tags":[75,357,64,20,113,702,7,61,22,365,751],"class_list":["post-28932","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-news","category-united-states","tag-conflict","tag-europe","tag-france","tag-russia","tag-security","tag-trump","tag-u-s","tag-uk","tag-ukraine","tag-united-kingdom","tag-zelenskyy"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Trump-Zelenskyy-meet-in-Vatican.jpg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-7wE","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28932","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28932"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28932\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28960,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28932\/revisions\/28960"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28939"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28932"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28932"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28932"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}