After the funeral of Pope Francis, which was attended by numerous global leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the Palazzo Chigi.
The discussion lasted just under an hour. According to a statement from Palazzo Chigi, both leaders reaffirmed their support for President Trump’s efforts to achieve a just and sustainable peace, capable of ensuring a future of security, sovereignty, and freedom for Ukraine.
Meloni, on behalf of the Italian government, expressed her condolences for the victims of recent Russian attacks, condemning such acts and emphasizing the urgency of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and the need for Moscow’s concrete engagement in starting the peace process.
The Prime Minister also welcomed Ukraine’s readiness for an immediate ceasefire, adding, “Now, Russia must also concretely demonstrate its willingness to pursue peace,” the statement concluded.
Earlier, Zelensky had private discussions within St. Peter’s Basilica with U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Meloni remarked, “Seeing Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky discussing peace at the ‘Pope of Peace’s’ funeral is of great significance,” calling it a “historic day.”
Zelensky and Starmer also held a bilateral meeting at the Villa Wolkonsky Gardens, and a meeting between Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also scheduled.
