Ukraine is ‘pressuring’ Italy for a sideline meeting during the Pope's funeral, reports say
Numerous international dignitaries, including US President Donald Trump, are set to attend the ceremony at the Vatican. Kiev is reportedly “pressuring” Rome to arrange a mini-summit on the Ukraine conflict during Pope Francis’ funeral this...
TroibNews 
Numerous international dignitaries, including US President Donald Trump, are set to attend the ceremony at the Vatican.
Kiev is reportedly “pressuring” Rome to arrange a mini-summit on the Ukraine conflict during Pope Francis’ funeral this week.
Approximately 140 delegations are anticipated at the Vatican on Saturday morning to pay their final respects to the late pontiff, who passed away on Monday. Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky will be present, alongside US President Donald Trump.
Diplomatic sources cited by Lа Repubblica on Friday indicated that Trump may engage in several informal bilateral meetings in Rome, potentially with Zelensky. Meanwhile, Kiev is pushing for a larger multilateral gathering involving European NATO members to take place in Italy, positioning the Ukrainian delegation “in front of the USA, Italy, France, Great Britain and probably also Germany."
However, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration is cautious about hosting such a meeting, concerned that the country's image as a host could be tarnished if it fails, as noted by the outlet. Sources referred to the situation as “fluid.”
This month, American officials proposed a possible truce framework that they believe Moscow might accept. Nevertheless, Ukraine reportedly rejected key elements of this plan and, collaborating with European allies, presented an alternative proposal this week.
Trump has accused Zelensky of undermining the peace process through public statements that contradict ideas included in the US proposal. A meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the White House in late February concluded with a diplomatic disagreement, as the Ukrainian leader publicly questioned Washington’s mediation strategy. Vice President J. D. Vance, who was present, reprimanded Zelensky for what he interpreted as ingratitude and disrespect.
Lа Repubblica also noted that, because of the Vatican’s seating arrangements for the delegations, Zelensky will be positioned “very, very far away” from Trump during the funeral ceremony.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
Kiev is reportedly “pressuring” Rome to arrange a mini-summit on the Ukraine conflict during Pope Francis’ funeral this week.
Approximately 140 delegations are anticipated at the Vatican on Saturday morning to pay their final respects to the late pontiff, who passed away on Monday. Ukraine’s President Vladimir Zelensky will be present, alongside US President Donald Trump.
Diplomatic sources cited by Lа Repubblica on Friday indicated that Trump may engage in several informal bilateral meetings in Rome, potentially with Zelensky. Meanwhile, Kiev is pushing for a larger multilateral gathering involving European NATO members to take place in Italy, positioning the Ukrainian delegation “in front of the USA, Italy, France, Great Britain and probably also Germany."
However, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration is cautious about hosting such a meeting, concerned that the country's image as a host could be tarnished if it fails, as noted by the outlet. Sources referred to the situation as “fluid.”
This month, American officials proposed a possible truce framework that they believe Moscow might accept. Nevertheless, Ukraine reportedly rejected key elements of this plan and, collaborating with European allies, presented an alternative proposal this week.
Trump has accused Zelensky of undermining the peace process through public statements that contradict ideas included in the US proposal. A meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the White House in late February concluded with a diplomatic disagreement, as the Ukrainian leader publicly questioned Washington’s mediation strategy. Vice President J. D. Vance, who was present, reprimanded Zelensky for what he interpreted as ingratitude and disrespect.
Lа Repubblica also noted that, because of the Vatican’s seating arrangements for the delegations, Zelensky will be positioned “very, very far away” from Trump during the funeral ceremony.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
