Ukraine, Europe’s hopes rise for ‘simply peace’ after Trump meets Zelensky at Vatican

The April 26 assembly between President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump on the Vatican has raised hopes amongst Ukraine and its European allies {that a} simply finish to Russia's full-scale invasion can nonetheless be achieved.

"Ending the struggle in Ukraine — that is the objective we share with President Trump," French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X on April 26.

Zelensky and Trump have been among the many many leaders who arrived in Vatican Metropolis to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who died on April 21 after struggling a stroke, on the age of 88.

The White Home described the assembly as a "very productive dialogue," whereas Zelensky additionally known as it a "good assembly," noting that they mentioned "rather a lot one-on-one."

In a Reality Social publish revealed shortly after he met with Zelensky within the Vatican, Trump mentioned that "there was no purpose for Putin to be taking pictures missiles into civilian areas, cities and cities, over the previous few days."

Russia has intensified its strikes towards civilian areas in Ukraine as Trump pushes for a peace deal, with a Russian assault killing at the least 12 civilians and injuring round 90 in Kyiv on April 24.

"It makes me suppose that possibly he doesn’t wish to cease the struggle, he’s simply tapping me alongside, and must be handled in another way, by means of banking or secondary sanctions?" Trump added, in a dramatic shift in tone to current statements which have usually been seen as being favorable to the Kremlin and according to its pursuits.

Following the temporary assembly with Trump, Zelensky additionally met with a number of European officers, together with Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen, who reaffirmed their assist for Ukraine.

"Ukraine is prepared for an unconditional ceasefire. President Zelensky reaffirmed it to me immediately. He needs to work alongside the Individuals and the Europeans to make it occur," Macron wrote on X.

"It’s now as much as President Putin to show that he actually needs peace."

Macron additionally added that France and its companions would proceed working by means of the so-called coalition of the prepared, launched in Paris in March, to push for "each a ceasefire and a full, lasting peace in Ukraine."

In accordance with Ukrainian lawmaker and chair of the parliament's international affairs committee, Oleksandr Merezhko, it was an "necessary assembly" as a result of the issue has at all times been within the lack of "direct contact" between Zelensky and Trump.

Trump and Zelensky haven’t met in individual since a tense February assembly within the Oval Workplace, the place Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky for what they known as an absence of gratitude for U.S. assist in Ukraine’s battle towards Russia.

Merezhko known as their assembly a "good signal" and a "restoration of this direct dialogue between them, which paves the best way for extra thorough and extra detailed conferences sooner or later."

"It’s necessary even psychologically as a result of up to now, Trump views the struggle by means of the attention of (U.S. Particular Envoy Steve) Witkoff, whom he trusts. Witkoff tends to share Putin’s viewpoint and promote Putin’s narrative, which is so harmful," Merezhko advised the Kyiv Impartial.

Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on April 25.

"And regardless that they solely spoke for just a few moments, Trump's tone modified instantly, and based mostly on his tweet, he started to appreciate that Putin can’t be trusted," Merezhko mentioned.

"We’d like extra direct contact; in any other case, individuals like Whitkoff will prevail and have extra affect over Trump's choices."

In an interview with Polish media Polsat Information revealed on April 26, Polish President Andrzej Duda additionally mentioned he hoped the assembly had a "particular spirit that would encourage new options and concepts that will assist finish this struggle."

"It’s within the pursuits of Poland and the Poles that this struggle ends with a simply peace, which may also give us a assure of peace, in order that we are able to actually develop peacefully, with out concern that somebody will assault us," he added.

Addressing Zelensky following their assembly, von der Leyen reaffirmed Europe's assist for Ukraine to finish Russia's struggle towards Ukraine, saying, "Europe will at all times stand by Ukraine within the pursuit of peace."

"You possibly can depend on our assist on the negotiating desk to realize a simply and lasting peace," she mentioned.

Estonian President Alar Karis, who mentioned he spoke with Trump immediately following the funeral, advised the regional media outlet ERR that Trump has promised to not withdraw as a mediator in Russia's struggle towards Ukraine.

Karis mentioned he requested Trump immediately in regards to the progress of the peace talks. In accordance with Karis, Trump promised that the U.S. would proceed to work in direction of a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

"I requested him how the peace course of was going and requested him to do every thing to make sure that the method continued, in order that the U.S. didn’t withdraw," Karis advised ERR.

"He promised to take action and mentioned that we have been fairly near an answer, since he had simply met with Zelensky."

Ukraine’s International Minister Andrii Sybiha mentioned on X that "no phrases are wanted to explain the significance of this historic assembly."

"Two leaders working for peace in St. Peter’s Basilica," Sybiha wrote.

"Hoping for outcomes on every thing we lined," Zelensky mentioned after the assembly.

"Defending the lives of our individuals. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Dependable and lasting peace that can forestall one other struggle from breaking out. Very symbolic assembly that has the potential to develop into historic, if we obtain joint outcomes."

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