Meloni-Zelensky meeting lasted almost an hour, Italian PM: ‘Russia shows willingness for peace’

After the funeral of Pope Francis in the presence of numerous world leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at Palazzo Chigi.

The conversation between the two lasted just under an hour. According to a note released by Palazzo Chigi, during the talks “the leaders reiterated their support for President Trump’s efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace, capable of guaranteeing a future of security, sovereignty and freedom for Ukraine.”

“Meloni expressed, also on behalf of the government, her condolences for the victims of the recent Russian attacks, renewing her firm condemnation of such acts and stressing the urgency of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, as well as the need for a concrete commitment by Moscow to the start of a peace process,” the statement continued.

The PM “welcomed Ukraine’s full readiness for an immediate ceasefire. It is now expected that Russia will also concretely demonstrate its willingness to pursue peace,” the note concludes.

Meetings with other leaders

Earlier, Zelensky had private talks inside St Peter’s Basilica with US President Donald Trump, as well as with Elysée Palace incumbent Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“Seeing Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky talking about peace at the funeral of the ‘Pope of Peace’ has enormous significance,” Meloni told the daily La Repubblica, calling it a “historic day”.

Zelensky and Starmer also had a bilateral meeting in the gardens of Villa Wolkonsky. A meeting between Zelensky and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also planned.