There has been speculation that a summit between Trump and Putin could take place in Rome over the war in Ukraine, but that idea has been shelved for now due to Russian opposition. The possibility of the US and Russian presidents meeting in the Vatican remains open, although that seems increasingly unlikely.
On Thursday, August 7, Trump called Prime Minister Meloni and proposed that the summit be held in Rome on Monday. The Prime Minister immediately said she was willing, and a few hours later, Rubio officially proposed Rome at the meeting of national security advisers, held between Italy, France, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Finland.
Zelensky immediately approved the idea, expressing "very much in favor." But Russia's opposition came just as quickly, stating - according to sources - that it "considers Italy a country very aligned with Ukraine."
But this is not the only obstacle. Putin is officially wanted for an international arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, and this also influenced the choice of the place for the meeting. Not coincidentally, Putin stated: “We have many friends ready to help us organize such meetings. One of them is the president of the United Arab Emirates, Mohammed bin Zayed, who is visiting Russia. I think we will decide, but it would be one of the most suitable places.”
The hypothesis of the Vatican has not been ruled out, although at the moment it no longer seems possible. "The availability exists and remains. Then we will see...". At the highest levels of the Holy See, the possibility of a meeting between Trump and Putin is being followed very carefully. The situation is more than delicate, the difficulties numerous, and it is natural that caution prevails. "We are not aware of anything, but...". But it is no secret that the Vatican has long expressed its readiness to help in a diplomatic solution to conflicts, not only in Ukraine. Pope Francis has said this before and Pope Leo XIV clearly reiterated it on May 14, six days after his election: "The Holy See is available so that enemies can meet and see eye to eye... Peoples want peace and I, with my hand on my heart, say to the leaders of nations: let us meet, dialogue, negotiate! War is never inevitable, weapons can and must be silenced."
Secretary of State Pietro Parolin continues his work and Prevost has confirmed Cardinal Matteo Zuppi as envoy for peace. Contacts, according to Vatican sources, “have never been interrupted”. The mediation of the Holy See has enabled the return home of several Ukrainian children and prisoner exchanges. The American Pope (Leo XIV) spoke by phone with Putin on June 4, asking for “a gesture that will help peace”, an important step forward, considering that his predecessor had not been able to speak to the Russian president after the invasion of Ukraine.
Prevost has confirmed his willingness to host peace “negotiations” in the Vatican. In these cases, nothing is made public: on December 17, 2014, US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raúl Castro announced the lifting of the embargo. It was later revealed that the delegations had met in the Vatican in the fall. Even now it is difficult, and in any case, it will not be the Holy See that will announce it. However, the fact is that the doors are and remain open.
Corriere della Sera
