A Glimmer of Hope for Ukraine After Trump-Zelensky Meeting at Vatican

Ukrainians are finding renewed hope after President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump met face-to-face during Pope Francis’s funeral, suggesting that Washington might not be abandoning Kyiv after all.

For weeks, skepticism toward Trump had been growing across Ukraine. The U.S. president had repeatedly accused Kyiv of fueling the conflict, clashed publicly with Zelensky, and pressured Ukraine to accept concessions to Russia in pursuit of a peace deal.

Many Ukrainians feared the U.S. was drifting away, especially as Trump's administration explored closer ties with Moscow, including talks over mineral extraction projects. But the brief encounter between Trump and Zelensky at St. Peter’s Basilica on April 26 offered a rare shift in mood.

Images released from the funeral showed the two leaders seated opposite each other, seemingly in a chance encounter. Trump leaned forward intently as Zelensky spoke—an interaction both sides later described as “constructive and productive.” It was a stark contrast to the tense Oval Office confrontation two months earlier.

Hours later, Trump questioned on Truth Social why Russian President Vladimir Putin was continuing missile strikes against Ukraine while the U.S. was attempting to broker peace talks. "It makes me think he doesn’t really want to stop the conflict and is simply trying to take advantage of me," Trump wrote, suggesting additional sanctions against Russia might be necessary.

Analysts say this fleeting meeting was a crucial win for Zelensky at a pivotal time. The U.S. had recently been pushing Kyiv to accept a peace framework seen as heavily favoring Moscow—requiring Ukraine to abandon its NATO aspirations and the U.S. to recognize Russia’s control over Crimea without offering Kyiv firm security guarantees.

Zelensky rejected these terms, fueling concerns that Washington might sideline Ukraine in favor of a bilateral deal with Russia. The Trump administration had even labeled the draft agreement a “final offer,” warning it could walk away from negotiations altogether.

Yet after the deadly Russian missile strike on Kyiv on April 24, which left at least 12 dead and dozens injured, Trump’s tone shifted. “Vladimir, STOP,” he wrote, in one of his strongest rebukes of Putin since returning to office.

While neither Trump nor Zelensky disclosed details of their roughly 15-minute conversation, the symbolism alone has lifted spirits in Ukraine.

"The photos from Vatican were extraordinary," said Volodymyr Dubovyk, director of the Center for International Studies at Odesa I.I. Mechnikov National University. "It was crucial for President Zelensky to present Ukraine’s case directly to Trump. Maybe now he understands our concerns a little better."

Some Ukrainians admit Trump’s views can shift quickly. Yet many found relief that the White House described the meeting as “highly effective.”

Oleh Karas, a Kyiv resident fundraising for military drones, called the images “incredible,” adding, “It looks like Trump actually listened to Zelensky. We should invite him here to see the devastation firsthand."

For many, Trump's softened rhetoric after the meeting is a vital lifeline, signaling that Ukraine might still persuade Washington to stay in its corner.

In his social media post after the encounter, Zelensky said the two leaders discussed a "full, unconditional ceasefire" and the need for a “reliable and lasting peace to prevent further conflict.”

Ukraine’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko described the meeting as "an opportunity to move forward, building real peace through strength."

Oleksandr Merezhko, chair of Ukraine's parliamentary foreign affairs committee, called the meeting “crucial,” highlighting the previous lack of direct communication between Trump and Zelensky.

"It’s a good sign that could pave the way for deeper, broader talks," Merezhko said. Until now, Trump had largely viewed the war through reports from special envoy Stephen Witkoff, widely seen as more sympathetic to Russia. "Even a few minutes of direct dialogue seemed to change Trump’s tone immediately," he noted.

However, pressure on Ukraine to agree to a peace deal remains intense. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko recently suggested it might be time to "trade land for peace," while Zelensky himself has acknowledged Ukraine may have to consider territorial compromises—so long as solid security guarantees are in place.

Trump has repeatedly said Ukraine is losing leverage and may not secure a better deal from Russia. Recent battlefield developments seem to support that view: on April 26, Russia announced it had fully recaptured Kursk Province after more than eight months of Ukrainian offensives.

Meanwhile, U.S. officials have warned they may pull out of mediation efforts if talks stall. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told NBC News on April 27 that the coming week would be “critical” in determining whether the U.S. would continue its peacemaking role.

Despite the positive atmosphere from the Vatican meeting, questions remain. After the brief encounter, a Ukrainian spokesperson said both leaders intended to continue discussions that day. However, Trump departed Vatican City aboard Air Force One shortly after the funeral, without holding further meetings with Zelensky.

Ukrainian officials later cited "scheduling conflicts" for the missed follow-up.

Cautious voices, such as Ukrainian lawmaker Yelyzaveta Yasko, warned against overinterpreting the meeting. "It was purely symbolic," she said. "No concrete results—just a few photos."

(According to The Guardian, CNN, Kyiv Independent, and Reuters)

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