Newspaper: Ukraine pushes for urgent summit with key EU partners in Rome

The Italian newspaper La Repubblica has reported that Ukraine has allegedly approached Italy and other key European Union allies with a proposal to organise a summit on the Russian-Ukrainian war, taking advantage of the expected gathering of global leaders in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis. Kyiv has not officially commented on the report.

Citing diplomatic sources, La Repubblica writes that Ukraine has used diplomatic channels to appeal to Italy and its European partners with a request to hold a broader summit on Ukraine.

The idea reportedly goes beyond a bilateral meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and envisions a “Quint” format summit, involving the US, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and possibly Germany.

The German government, the paper notes, has confirmed that Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who will attend Pope Francis’s funeral, may hold a series of bilateral meetings in Rome.

US President Donald Trump is expected to arrive in Rome on the evening of April 25 to attend the farewell ceremony for the pontiff, scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on April 26.

Although the White House has yet to release an official list of Trump’s planned bilateral meetings, diplomatic sources told La Repubblica that preparations are underway for at least three such meetings—one with Zelenskyy, and others with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

These meetings may take place immediately following the funeral ceremony. According to government sources in Rome, discussions are also ongoing about a possible meeting between Trump and Italian President Sergio Mattarella as well as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. However, no official confirmations have been issued.

Italy sceptical of summit plans

Regarding Ukraine’s initiative, one diplomatic source told La Repubblica that the idea of holding an expanded summit is being met with scepticism by some countries, especially Italy.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had earlier expressed reservations about the practicality of holding a high-level meeting on the day of the Pope’s funeral.

“I doubt that a summit can be held on the day of the Pope’s funeral. Where would it take place? On the day of the funeral, Trump arrives with a hundred-vehicle motorcade... logistically, this seems very complicated to me,” Tajani stated.

Still, according to La Repubblica, pressure from Ukraine continues. As of last night, sources familiar with the matter described the situation as “fluid,” noting that the summit idea has not been entirely ruled out.

It remains unclear where the meetings could take place. If they are to remain informal, separate bilateral talks between Trump and various European leaders could be held at Villa Taverna—the residence of the US ambassador in Rome. Otherwise, the Italian government may provide an alternative venue.

By Tamilla Hasanova