President Trump and President Zelensky of Ukraine met privately in Vatican City during Pope Francis' funeral, marking their first meeting since a heated disagreement in February. The discussion came at a pivotal moment as the United States proposed a cease-fire plan that would effectively concede control of occupied Ukrainian regions to Russia and recognize Crimea as Russian territory. Zelensky opposes this plan and has suggested an alternative that offers less to Russia and includes significant reparations for Ukraine. Despite the tension, both leaders exchanged pleasantries, with Zelensky emphasizing the importance of a lasting peace and security guarantees. The meeting, while symbolic, highlighted the persistent gap in their positions and the challenges in reaching a consensus on ending the war with Russia.

President Trump and President Zelensky of Ukraine had a private meeting in Vatican City, coinciding with Pope Francis' funeral, which was their first encounter since a publicized disagreement in February that strained U.S.-Ukraine relations.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of a U.S. cease-fire proposal that would cede Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia during the invasion and formally recognize Crimea as Russian, a significant policy shift that Zelensky has rejected.

Zelensky's counterproposal seeks a resolution less favorable to Russia, advocating for reparations to Ukraine and more robust security guarantees, contrasting with the vague terms of the U.S. proposal.

Despite differences, Zelensky publicly expressed gratitude towards Trump, emphasizing the goal of achieving a full and lasting peace with robust security measures to prevent future conflicts.

The Vatican meeting, while significant, underscored the deep-seated differences between the U.S. and Ukraine regarding Russia's demands, including military limitations on Ukraine, and highlighted the diplomatic challenges in resolving the conflict.

President Trump, attending the funeral as part of a broader trip to Europe, was observed interacting with various European leaders, amidst a backdrop of ongoing criticism of their defense contributions.

The seating arrangement at the funeral placed Trump between the leaders of Finland and Estonia, countries concerned about Russian aggression, and near President Macron, reflecting the geopolitical tensions underlying the event.