The White House said their discussion was “very productive” and that more details would be released later. The meeting lasted about 15 minutes inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican just before they took their seats for the outdoor funeral service. Zelenskyy said “good meeting” on social media after the funeral.

World leaders took the opportunity while in Rome to discuss the prospect for peace in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump met Volodymyr Zelensky moments before the funeral of Pope Francis. It's the first time the two leaders have met face to face since the outburst in the Oval Office.

President Donald Trump has set a personal deadline for a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, he told reporters Thursday. “I have my own deadline,” Trump said. “I have my own deadline, and we want it to be fast.

The president’s comments came after he said Crimea “will stay with Russia,” a position backed by the mayor of Kyiv, who conceded that his country may have to give up territory.

The leaked American ceasefire proposal would end sanctions on Russia, freeze the front line and see America formally recognise Russia’s annexation of Crimea. The intelligence officer, based in Kyiv, does not hide his disdain.