Media reports Kyiv proposes Rome Summit amid Pope's funeral: Zelenskyy’s office responds

Summit proposal

Citing sources in diplomatic circles, La Repubblica reports that Ukraine, through diplomatic channels, reached out to Italy and other European partners with a request to organize a broader summit on Ukraine.

Reportedly, this would not be just a bilateral Trump-Zelenskyy summit, but in a "Quint" format, including the US, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, and likely Germany.

The outlet writes that the German government confirmed Olaf Scholz, who will attend the funeral of Pope Francis, may hold a number of bilateral talks in Rome.

US President Donald Trump will arrive in Rome on the evening of April 25 to attend the farewell to the pontiff, which is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. local time on April 26.

Although the White House has yet to publish an official list of Trump’s bilateral meetings, diplomatic sources told La Repubblica that preparations are underway for at least three such meetings. One would be with Zelenskyy himself, and others with French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

These meetings could take place immediately after the farewell ceremony for the Pope. According to government sources in Rome, a possible meeting between Trump and Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also being discussed. However, there is no official confirmation yet.

Italy’s skeptical attitude toward idea

As for Ukraine's idea to organize a summit, a source also told La Repubblica that the prospect of holding an expanded summit is met with skepticism by some countries, including Italy.

Italian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani had earlier expressed caution about the appropriateness of holding a summit on the day of the pontiff's funeral.

"I doubt that a summit can be held on the day of the Pope's funeral. Where would the summit be held? On the day of the funeral, Trump with a hundred-car motorcade... logistically, it seems very difficult to me," Tajani said.

Nevertheless, La Repubblica writes that pressure from Ukraine remains. Therefore, as of last night, informed sources still considered the situation "fluid": the idea of the summit had not been completely ruled out.

Still, it remains unclear where the meetings might take place. If they are informal and separate bilateral talks between Trump and various European leaders, they could be held at Villa Taverna - the residence of the US ambassador. Otherwise, the Italian government might provide another location.

What Presidential Office of Ukraine says

Officially, the Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the media reports about Kyiv's proposal to organize a summit in Rome.

The Press Secretary of the President of Ukraine, Serhiy Nykyforov, gave only a brief comment to journalists about possible meetings and President Zelenskyy’s upcoming visits.

"The President has returned to Ukraine, and his further schedule will depend on how the situation develops," Nykyforov said.

Due to yesterday's massive Russian attack on Ukraine, Zelenskyy decided to shorten his visit to South Africa but instructed the Foreign Minister to carry out all planned meetings.

As previously reported, the President of Ukraine, along with his wife Olena Zelenska, may attend the funeral of Pope Francis, which will take place this Saturday.

The funeral of Francis will be a global event expected to draw heads of state and government from around the world. In particular, the participation of the US President has already been confirmed. In total, 170 delegations are expected to arrive in Rome for the funeral.