Trump and Zelensky Meet in Rome as Questions Over Putin’s Peace Intentions Grow
Trump questions Putin over Ukraine peace after a closely watched meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome, casting doubt on whether Russia genuinely wants to bring the war to an end. Speaking after their encounter at Pope Francis’s funeral, Trump said he feared Putin was “tapping me along,” following renewed missile strikes on Kyiv.
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky, lasting around 15 minutes at St Peter’s Basilica, marked their first face-to-face discussion since a heated exchange in Washington earlier this year. Trump later posted on his Truth Social platform, warning there was “no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas,” and suggested stronger economic measures like “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions” could be considered.
The White House described the brief conversation as “very productive,” while Zelensky called it “very symbolic,” adding it could become a “historic” moment if it leads to joint progress. Photos released afterwards show Trump in a blue suit and Zelensky in black casual dress, sitting opposite each other in intense discussion.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha shared one of the images on X, writing: “No words are needed to describe the importance of this historic meeting.” Macron and Sir Keir Starmer were also pictured nearby, and there are suggestions that both European leaders helped encourage the discussion. An analysis from the Royal United Services Institute explores how external diplomatic pressure might shape any future talks.
While Trump had previously claimed Ukraine and Russia were “very close to a deal” after his envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin, his latest comments reflect growing scepticism. The Kremlin insisted Russia remained willing to hold direct talks “without preconditions,” but doubts about Putin’s intentions are clearly rising.
Trump’s relationship with Zelensky has often been tense. During their Oval Office meeting earlier this year, Trump told the Ukrainian president he was “not winning” and had “no cards to play” – a sentiment he repeated after their meeting in Rome. In contrast, Zelensky has consistently rejected calls to concede territory to Russia, including Crimea, which was annexed illegally in 2014.
Back in London, government officials continue to underline their support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Downing Street said Sir Keir and Zelensky discussed “maintaining momentum” towards a lasting peace during their meeting at Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence.
Trump left Rome shortly after the funeral, while Zelensky stayed to meet other European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen. Macron later posted that securing peace in Ukraine was “an objective we share with President Trump,” highlighting a rare point of agreement.
Whether Trump’s direct intervention shifts the balance towards meaningful negotiations remains to be seen. For now, the question of Putin’s real intentions lingers and the path to peace looks as uncertain as ever.
For more updates on Ukraine diplomacy and global politics, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your views in the comments.
[Image Credit | BBC News]
Follow us on:
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!
We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!
