Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held high-level meetings in Rome on December 9, briefing key European and religious leaders on the latest United States efforts to advance negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s war against Ukraine.

During his visit, Zelensky met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, describing their talks as “excellent and very substantive.” He said he updated her on the work of Ukraine’s negotiating team and confirmed that Kyiv and Rome are closely coordinating their diplomatic efforts as global pressure mounts for a political settlement.

Zelensky also held a 30-minute meeting with Pope Leo XIV, where humanitarian concerns were central to the discussion. According to the Vatican, the pontiff reiterated the importance of continuing dialogue, while both sides discussed issues related to prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children to their families. The Pope, who has consistently called for a “just and lasting peace,” signaled the Vatican’s readiness to host future peace talks.

In comments after the meeting, Zelensky said humanitarian issues dominated the Vatican talks and that he briefed the Pope on Ukraine’s ongoing diplomatic coordination with Washington. He also formally invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Ukraine, describing such a trip as a powerful gesture of solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

The Rome visit came amid growing tensions in Europe over being sidelined from discussions shaped by a U.S.–Russian draft framework that reportedly demanded major concessions from Kyiv. European Union capitals have expressed alarm over proposals that could weaken Ukraine’s position, prompting Kyiv to intensify outreach to allied leaders.

Earlier, Zelensky held talks in London with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, before traveling to Brussels for meetings with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and senior European Union officials. He later said negotiations with Washington remain stalled over sensitive questions, including long-term security guarantees and the future of Ukraine’s eastern territories.

Divisions have also emerged inside the EU over proposals to repurpose frozen Russian assets. Belgium, where most of the funds are held, has resisted such moves despite talks involving German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov visited the United States last week to continue revisions to the American-backed peace framework. Parallel diplomatic contacts were led by U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, whose December 2 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow ended without progress.

Russian officials have reiterated that Moscow remains unwilling to compromise on core demands, including blocking Ukraine’s path toward NATO membership and forcing a Ukrainian withdrawal from parts of Donetsk province — conditions firmly rejected by Kyiv. (ILKHA)