Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Vice President JD Vance crossed paths at Pope Leo XIV's inaugural mass, marking their first public encounter since their contentious White House meeting.
According to the New York Post, the two leaders not only exchanged pleasantries at St. Peter's Basilica but also held a subsequent private meeting at Villa Taverna, the U.S. ambassador's residence in Italy, to discuss ongoing peace negotiations and sanctions against Russia.
The cordial interaction stands in stark contrast to their heated February exchange in the Oval Office, where Zelensky and Vance clashed over diplomatic approaches to ending the conflict with Russia. Second lady Usha Vance joined her husband in greeting the Ukrainian president, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the U.S. delegation alongside Vance, was also present at the gathering.
The meeting occurred as Ukraine grappled with one of the largest drone attacks from Russia, with over 273 unmanned aircraft targeting the central Kyiv region, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Ukraine's air force confirmed the scope of the assault, which came shortly after the first direct Russian-Ukrainian negotiations since 2022.
These recent negotiations in Istanbul resulted in an agreement to exchange 1,000 prisoners of war. However, the talks failed to achieve the broader ceasefire agreement that negotiators had initially hoped to secure. The Russian delegation consisted of lower-ranking officials without decision-making authority.
Zelensky took to X to share details about his meeting with Vice President Vance, stating:
We discussed negotiations in Istanbul to where the Russians sent a low level delegation of non-decision-makers. I reaffirmed that Ukraine is ready to be engaged in real diplomacy and underscored the importance of a full and unconditional ceasefire as soon as possible. We have also touched upon the need for sanctions against Russia, bilateral trade, defense cooperation, battlefield situation and upcoming prisoners exchange.
The relationship between Vance and Zelensky has been notably strained, particularly after Zelensky labeled the vice president as "too radical" during the 2024 campaign. This criticism stemmed from Vance's advocacy for a peace plan that would have required Ukraine to surrender significant territory.
Recent weeks have shown a shift in positions from both sides. The Trump administration has been pushing for a ceasefire, which Ukraine now supports, though Russia continues to reject such proposals. Vance has also modified his stance, publicly acknowledging that Moscow's current demands are excessive.
President Trump recently met with Zelensky at the Vatican during Pope Francis's funeral last month, indicating ongoing diplomatic engagement between the two nations. The meeting at St. Peter's Basilica included European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, highlighting the international focus on resolving the conflict.
The February confrontation between Vance and Zelensky in the Oval Office centered on differing views about Russian President Vladimir Putin's trustworthiness and negotiation strategies.
Their heated exchange, which occurred during discussions about a mineral rights deal, led to Vance accusing Zelensky of disrespect for attempting to debate the issue before American media.
Vice President Vance has since taken a more measured approach in international forums. At a recent Munich Security Conference-affiliated event, he articulated a more nuanced position on peace negotiations, acknowledging the complexity of the situation while maintaining support for Ukraine's sovereignty.
The meeting between Vice President Vance and President Zelensky at the papal mass represents a significant diplomatic reset in U.S.-Ukraine relations. Their private discussion at Villa Taverna, which included Secretary of State Rubio and Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak, focused on practical steps toward ending the conflict and strengthening sanctions against Russia.
Despite ongoing Russian aggression, as evidenced by the recent massive drone attack, both leaders appear committed to finding common ground in their approach to ending the war.
Their ability to move past their previous public disagreement suggests a potential path forward in U.S.-Ukraine cooperation, even as the conflict continues to present significant challenges for both nations.
