On a significant day, stunning images reveal a potential turning point for the world.
In a secluded area of St Peter’s Basilica ahead of Pope Francis’s funeral, the leaders of America and Ukraine face one another.
It resembled a confessional scene, though in this instance, both individuals feel wronged by each other.
In one photo, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy lean forward, hands resting in their laps, intensely focused on each other.
In another image, the Ukrainian president appears to be expressing frustration with the US president. This marks their first meeting since their infamous confrontation in the Oval Office.
The two leaders held talks before attending the Pope’s funeral
Much tension has developed between them since that dramatic clash.
Yet, could the gravity of the occasion foster some healing and perhaps a glimmer of hope for Ukraine?
It’s unclear what was discussed in their brief encounter.
However, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy is likely aware that President Trump recently stated America would reward Russia for its unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine as part of any peace agreement.
Trump’s proposal to Ukraine and Russia is so one-sided that it might as well have been drafted in the Kremlin.
Kyiv is expected to surrender the territories Russia acquired through force: Crimea permanently, while conceding the rest at least for now. Furthermore, it faces an extortion-like deal that would relinquish half of its mineral resources effectively to the US.
While a fleeting meeting can only achieve so much, the signs after their discussion were somewhat promising.
The world leaders shared a moment before the service
Zelenskyy described the meeting as a “good discussion” that might prove historic “if we achieve results together.”
He noted they discussed the defense of Ukraine, a full and unconditional ceasefire, and a sustainable peace aimed at preventing future conflicts.
However, Trump’s peace plan offers only vague security guarantees for Ukraine from nations excluding the US and excludes any NATO membership.
Ukraine’s allies are closely monitoring whether Trump will exert any pressure on Vladimir Putin, or if he will simply wash his hands of the proposal, unjustly placing blame on Ukraine before seeking to mend fences with Moscow.
In his post-meeting social media remarks, the US president criticized Vladimir Putin.
“There was no reason,” he stated, “for Putin to target civilian areas, cities, and towns with missiles in recent days. It seems to me that he may not want to end the war, and he must be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many lives are being lost!!!”
Although Trump has previously warned Putin to halt the violence, actions to impose significant pressure have not been forthcoming.
Former US ambassador William B Taylor remarked to Sky News: “President Putin has shown through these attacks that he’s not ready for peace. He won’t agree to a ceasefire. Therefore, President Trump, eager for peace like President Zelenskyy, needs to apply genuine pressure on President Putin, beyond merely asking him to cease fire at Kyiv.”
It seems increasingly likely that Trump’s peace proposal may not succeed.
Some speculate it was designed to falter once the US insisted Ukraine relinquish sovereignty over Crimea to Russia—a demand Zelenskyy cannot fulfill politically or constitutionally.
If it collapses, there are concerns that Trump will blame Ukraine and Europe, rekindling relations with Putin’s Russia and rewarding its aggression, signifying a potential end to the post-war order as we’ve known it.