President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took time before Pope Francis’ funeral Saturday to meet one-to-one.
Photos showed the two by themselves in St. Peter’s Basilica, according to a report on CNN. The two were meeting to discuss a possible peace between Russia and Ukraine.
After the meeting, Zelenskyy took to social media to thank Trump for the “good meeting.”
“We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered,” Zelenskyy wrote. “Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results.”
A White House spokesman called the meeting “a very productive discussion.”
The meeting, which took place just outside the Baptistry Chapel, lasted about 15 minutes and the two agreed peace talks would continue.
Saturday’s meeting marked the first time the two had met since a disastrous meeting at the White House in February when Zelenskyy was scolded for not being grateful for the help provided by the U.S., who, for a brief time, suspended arms shipments and intelligence sharing.
Prior to Saturday, the Trump administration did not play up any possibilities of Trump meeting with anyone given the brief visit and the pope’s funeral being the reason for the visit.
Zelenskyy had “constructive” proposals drawn up in London between Ukrainian and European officials.
