Zelenskyy’s high-level meetings in Rome revive hopes for Ukraine peace path

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continued a series of high-level diplomatic engagements on April 26, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer following his private conversation with US President Donald Trump at the Vatican.

The meetings took place in Rome on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral, which drew world leaders to the Holy See after the pontiff’s death on April 21 at the age of 88, Caliber.Az reports citing Ukrainian media.

Happening now: @ZelenskyyUa and @EmmanuelMacron having a tête-à-tête about further peace efforts. pic.twitter.com/YvmIVLaF5e

— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) April 26, 2025

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed the bilateral meeting with Macron on social media platform X, describing it as a “tête-à-tête about further peace efforts,” though no additional details were immediately disclosed. The encounter underscores France’s continued commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty while exploring diplomatic avenues for ending Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Later in the day, Zelenskyy visited the residence of the British ambassador to Italy, where he held talks with newly appointed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. According to Ukraine’s public broadcaster, the discussion focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine, prospective military and economic support from the United Kingdom, and Zelenskyy’s earlier dialogue with President Trump.

These diplomatic engagements came shortly after Zelenskyy’s private meeting with Trump at St. Peter’s Basilica, described by both sides as “productive” and “constructive.” It was their first face-to-face meeting since a heated exchange at the White House in February, during which Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance criticized Kyiv’s leadership for what they saw as insufficient gratitude for American support.

The Trump administration has been intensifying its push for a peace deal, reportedly proposing terms that include US recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea—an offer firmly rejected by Ukraine. Kyiv, along with its European allies, continues to insist that any viable peace framework must include security guarantees and full respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, with negotiations on disputed regions only commencing after a total ceasefire.

European officials are believed to have played a key role in facilitating the Trump-Zelenskyy meeting at the Vatican, in the hope that renewed dialogue might help overcome the impasse in peace negotiations.

By Vafa Guliyeva