• Trump and Zelenskyy meet at the Vatican to discuss peace in Ukraine.
• The U.S. emphasizes the urgency of a peace deal as Russia escalates attacks.
• Proposals for resolving territorial disputes and sanctions differ significantly.

In a significant move to revive peace negotiations, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met one-on-one in a Vatican basilica during the funeral for Pope Francis. Zelenskyy expressed hopes that their discussions could lead to a historic peace agreement, labeling the meeting as "very productive" according to Channel News Asia.

During the meeting, which took place amid heightened hostilities, Trump condemned recent missile strikes by Russian forces, asserting there was “no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas.” Trump’s statements reflected a sharp criticism of Russian aggression, indicating a potential shift in rhetoric from the former President's generally favorable comments about Putin, as seen in his posts on Truth Social according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and Dawn.

Trump’s administration officials have echoed the urgency for progress in peace talks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that "it needs to happen soon," warning that continuing to invest resources in the effort without visible outcomes may not be feasible. Rubio noted that the US would reassess its role in mediating talks soon if no advancements were made according to Dawn and Reuters.

As the situation on the ground deteriorates, with reports of nearly 70 Russian attacks occurring on that weekend alone, Zelenskyy highlighted the need for increased global pressure on Russia to alleviate the persistent conflict. He indicated that the ongoing military actions demonstrate a lack of sufficient international response to halt the hostilities, as reported by Channel News Asia and Reuters.

Discussions about a peace agreement reveal **significant divergences** between US proposals and those from Ukrainian and European officials. American plans reportedly suggest recognizing Russia's control over Crimea, a point of contention for Ukrainian leaders who prefer territorial discussions deferred until after a ceasefire is established. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius publicly opposed the US stance, deeming it too lenient in ceding territory, highlighting the complexities of negotiations according to Dawn, Reuters, and Channel News Asia.

In light of these developments, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz maintained that Trump’s meeting with Zelenskyy should be seen as a pivotal moment for peace efforts, projecting Trump’s ambition to be recognized as “a president of peace.” Meanwhile, Congressional Democrats have criticized Trump's approach, fearing it may embolden Putin and undermine Western alliances by advocating for concessions to Russia, as expressed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on CNN, according to Dawn and Reuters.