Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Rome for Pope Francis' funeral, Agence France-Presse reported, citing his spokesman Serhiy Nikiforov, BTA reported.
The head of state is accompanied by his wife Olena. "Volodymyr Zelensky, first lady Olena Zelenska (...) will attend the ceremony", spokesman Nikiforov said.
Last night, Zelensky admitted that he might not attend the funeral today because of important meetings with the military in Ukraine.
A meeting between him and US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral is possible, a senior official told AFP. The two leaders have not seen each other since Zelensky's visit to the White House in late February, which ended in a dispute, the agency recalls.
US President Donald Trump said he would talk to some people today in Rome on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral, ANSA reported, BTA reports. Trump said this in response to a question from journalists covering his arrival in the Italian capital last night for the Pope's funeral.
The president said that among the people he would talk to today in Rome is Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and reiterated that she is an excellent prime minister. He declined to specify whether he would also meet with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who hinted last night that he might not be able to attend the Pope's funeral because of military meetings he has to attend in Ukraine.
Trump also did not clarify to reporters whether his talks today with other leaders would be real bilateral meetings or just an exchange of words on the sidelines of an important event. The American head of state added that some people think it is a bit impolite to hold meetings when people have come to the Pope's funeral. “But I will see a lot of people,” he added.
In response to a question about why he decided to attend Pope Francis' funeral, he said that it was both to show respect and because he had won the votes of Catholics in the United States. Regarding the possible presence of his predecessor Joe Biden at the funeral, Trump said that he was not informed about it and added that talking to him was not at the top of his priority list.
The US president also told reporters that it was “probably unlikely“ to extend the temporary suspension of tariffs by 90 days. Trump will stay in Rome for only half a day, staying at the residence of the US ambassador “Villa Taverna”. He is accompanied by first lady Melania, ANSA and Agence France-Presse recall.