The two leaders, seated closely and without aides, met for the first time since a tense exchange in the White House earlier this year. The Vatican setting underscored the symbolic nature of the meeting, as Pope Francis had consistently called for peace in Ukraine throughout his papacy.

Following the funeral, Trump departed Rome and posted a message on social media condemning recent Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin may not genuinely want peace. He floated the idea of further economic measures, such as secondary sanctions, to pressure Moscow. These remarks came just a day after he had expressed optimism about the possibility of a peace deal.

Trump’s shifting tone comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts. While he has called for swift negotiations and proposed a temporary ceasefire, Ukraine and its European allies remain wary of key elements in the proposed U.S. plan, including potential recognition of Crimea as Russian territory and the timeline for lifting sanctions.

Zelenskyy reiterated his stance that any peace must include a full and unconditional ceasefire, meaningful security guarantees, and a path to lasting peace. He has also urged increased international pressure on Moscow to make serious concessions.

Despite their differences—highlighted by past public criticisms and disagreements over Ukraine’s strategy—both Trump and Zelenskyy appear to recognize the need for cooperation to end the conflict. Their brief meeting in the Vatican may signal a shift in tone and a possible opening for further talks.

Zelenskyy also held separate discussions with other world leaders attending the funeral, including the British and French leaders and the European Commission President.

Putin did not attend the event and remains under an international arrest warrant for alleged war crimes. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials suggest further diplomatic developments may be on the horizon, as they continue to push for an immediate ceasefire and long-term peace framework.

The U.S. played a key role in facilitating the discussions, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirming that Ukraine is ready to proceed with a 30-day halt in hostilities. Rubio emphasized that the ball is now in Moscow’s court, and it will be up to Russian authorities to decide whether they will accept the terms laid out in the ceasefire proposal.

“We have taken a crucial step forward,” Rubio stated. “Now, it’s time for Russia to make its move. We hope this will create the space for a more lasting peace.”

The ceasefire, which would last for 30 days, is seen as a critical opportunity for both sides to regroup and potentially open the door for further negotiations toward a longer-term peace agreement. The move signals Ukraine’s willingness to explore diplomatic solutions to the conflict, despite the ongoing pressure of military operations.

Progress Amid Tension

U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, who was involved in the discussions, expressed optimism as talks progressed. Taking a break with Rubio after more than three hours of negotiations, Waltz informed reporters that significant strides had been made in crafting the ceasefire proposal. He acknowledged that the path forward is fraught with challenges but emphasized that progress had been achieved in a constructive atmosphere.

“The talks have been productive, and there’s a sense of cautious optimism,” Waltz remarked. “We’re committed to supporting Ukraine, and we’re hopeful that this ceasefire can serve as a foundation for further peace talks.”

Ukrainian Leadership Weighs In

Andriy Yermak, the leader of the Ukrainian delegation and chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky, echoed Waltz’s sentiments. Yermak described the negotiations as “beginning very constructively” and affirmed Ukraine’s commitment to exploring diplomatic avenues for peace. He also expressed gratitude for the U.S. support, noting that the continued exchange of intelligence between Washington and Kyiv will be crucial for Ukraine’s security during this delicate period.

“Ukraine is ready to take significant steps toward peace, but we need to see a reciprocal willingness from Russia,” Yermak said. “We hope that this ceasefire can lead to meaningful dialogue and a more lasting resolution.”

The Next Step: Moscow’s Response

While Ukraine has expressed readiness to accept the 30-day ceasefire, the key factor now lies in Russia’s response. Given the complexities of the conflict and the entrenched positions of both sides, the likelihood of a lasting ceasefire will depend heavily on whether Moscow is willing to comply and engage in further discussions.

International observers are watching closely to see how the Kremlin will respond to the U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal. The global community remains hopeful that this moment of diplomacy can pave the way for a more comprehensive peace agreement, but the path ahead remains uncertain.

What’s Next for Ukraine and Russia?

As the 30-day ceasefire proposal moves to Russia for consideration, the world waits to see whether this moment of diplomatic progress will translate into a real shift in the conflict. The ceasefire could create an essential window for talks and potentially reduce the human toll of the ongoing war.

For Ukraine, the continued support from the United States and its intelligence-sharing efforts will be critical in navigating the next steps. While the ceasefire is only a temporary solution, it could provide the necessary breathing room for further negotiations if Russia is willing to engage.

Stay tuned for updates as both sides prepare for the next phase of discussions.

The ministry’s statement, shared on Telegram, came after Russian bloggers reported that special forces had covertly advanced through a gas pipeline near Sudzha to surprise Ukrainian forces. The three settlements—Malaya Lokhnya, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, and Kositsa—are located north of Sudzha.

“The Russian Federation’s armed forces continue to rout Ukrainian army units in Kursk,” the ministry added. The pipeline operation, reported by Russian bloggers, appeared to be a tactic aimed at cutting off Ukrainian soldiers in the region, potentially ahead of talks between Ukraine and the U.S. about a possible peace agreement.

In August, Ukrainian forces had seized about 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) of Kursk to gain leverage in future negotiations and force Russian troops to divert from eastern Ukraine. Recently, Russia has made progress in regaining control, with open-source maps indicating that Ukraine’s forces are almost surrounded.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev commented that the offensive was continuing, saying, “The lid of the smoking cauldron is almost closed.” Pro-Russian military blogger Yuri Podolyaka stated that Russian special forces had advanced nearly 16 kilometers through the gas pipeline before surprising Ukrainian forces near Sudzha.

Ukrainian forces confirmed that Russian troops had tried to gain a foothold using the pipeline, but they were detected and repelled with rockets, artillery, and drones. The Ukrainian military also reported repelling 15 Russian attacks in Kursk, with six armed clashes still ongoing. Ukrainian forces also faced 12 Russian airstrikes.

As Russian advances in 2024 continue, and with U.S. President Donald Trump’s shifting policies on Ukraine and Russia, European leaders have expressed concerns that Ukraine may lose the war and that Trump may be distancing himself from Europe.

Russia also announced its first territorial gains in Ukraine’s Sumy region since 2022. Russian troops claimed to have recaptured four villages in Kursk, pushing closer to Sudzha, which remains under Ukrainian control. Kyiv’s goal is to use the Kursk territory as leverage in peace talks.

Next week, Ukrainian and U.S. negotiators are set to meet in Saudi Arabia, where the U.S. administration seeks a ceasefire and a peace agreement framework. Meanwhile, Russia claimed it had recaptured Novenke, a village near the Kursk border, and was closer to blocking a major Ukrainian supply route.

The Ukrainian president expressed gratitude for the military’s resilience, reaffirming that strong frontline positions are crucial for diplomatic negotiations. Russia’s counter-offensive continues as it makes gains in Kursk and beyond, while both sides prepare for potential peace talks.

In related news, Russian forces also reported advancing in the Donetsk region and making inroads into the Dnipropetrovsk region, which had previously been largely unaffected by the conflict.

Trump argued that the key to ending the war lies in negotiations, claiming that a deal could be struck quickly if both sides are willing to engage. However, Zelenskyy has consistently maintained that Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted to uphold a ceasefire agreement and has called for robust security guarantees from the West before agreeing to any peace terms.

The U.S. President also took aim at the Biden administration’s decision to continue sending military and financial aid to Ukraine, suggesting that these funds would be better spent strengthening the U.S. military. Trump’s criticism highlights the growing divide over how best to manage U.S. involvement in the conflict, with some advocating for a more direct approach to peace talks and others emphasizing continued support for Ukraine’s defense.

While Trump remains hopeful that a deal is possible, his remarks suggest a growing frustration with Zelenskyy’s stance, which he believes could hinder the prospects for a peaceful resolution. The ongoing debate about the U.S. role in the war continues to shape the broader discussion surrounding the future of the conflict.

Zelensky is scheduled to meet with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Friday at the Munich Security Conference, according to the Ukrainian leader’s spokesman. This meeting comes as the U.S. pushes for a resolution to the ongoing war with Russia, which has now been dragging on for nearly three years. 

Vance has often criticised the U.S. assistance that has been crucial to Ukraine’s efforts. Zelensky, in his interview with a, rejected the idea that Europe could provide security guarantees without the involvement of the U.S., saying, “Security guarantees without America are not real security guarantees.”

Former President Trump has expressed a desire for both sides to reach an agreement, though the details of such a deal remain a point of concern for Ukraine.