How Macron and Starmer convinced him on Trump to change the rhetoric to Putin. Trump's reaction after the Vatican meeting

Donald Trump called “a moment of relief” the discussion with the Ukrainian president, Volodimir Zelenski, in the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, during the funerals of Pope Francis. Instead, European sources reveal the intense diplomatic efforts of Emmanuel Macron and Keir Starmer to determine the American leader to direct their criticisms to Kremlin.

Meeting, Trump, Zelenski, Macron and Starmer at the Vatican/Photo: X

The meeting between Donald Trump and Volodimir Zelenski, during Pope Francis's funerals, was more than just a protocol conversation. The US president described her as a “time of relief”, in an interview with the ABC News.

“Ukraine is in an extremely serious and complicated situation. It is not my war, but I want to try to solve it, because every week about 5,000 young soldiers die, both Russians and Ukrainians. We also spend huge amounts in Ukraine, and Europe should contribute much, no less,” said Trump.

Trump's tone change to Putin, amid European diplomatic efforts

Behind the curtain, however, Trump's subtle rhetoric change to Vladimir Putin was the result of a discrete diplomatic operation led by the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, according to information published by Politico, citing European government sources.

The European leaders convinced Trump to reduce the pressure on Zelenski and to concentrate his criticisms on Putin, emphasizing the fact that the Russian leader “makes Trump seem naive” through repeated fire violations.

“Trump's public criticism directed against Putin allowed the London and Paris diplomats to be satisfied – their efforts from the last three months begin to bear fruit.”said an anonymous source from European diplomatic circles.

The key role of the great Britain and France

The negotiations were mainly led by the British counselor for national security, Jonathan Powell, and the Minister of Defense, John Healey, coordinating with the US ambassador in the UK, Mark Burnett. British Foreign Minister David Lammy revealed that he had 13 discussions this year only with his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, while Starmer and Trump spoke “almost as many times.”

“Zelenski has made it clear to influence Trump's thinking in Rome“, Said a former British ambassador, who asked for anonymity. According to him, London and Paris insisted that Putin” despises Trump, constantly violating the fire he himself announced. “

The Ukrainian president has previously described the meeting with Trump as having “historical potential”, and the White House classified it as “very productive”.

According to Axios, Zelenski drew Trump's attention to multiple violations of fire termination – Kremlin has bombed Ukraine's energy infrastructure more than 30 times after Putin promised a 30 -day break.

The future of negotiations: contradictory pressures and signals

Although Trump recently condemned Russian attacks – including the April 24 raid, which killed 12 civilians – he did not announce concrete measures against Moscow. Instead, he publicly asked Putin: “Vladimir, stop!”

American sources suggest that the Trump administration could withdraw from the role of mediator if no progress is made in the near future.

Meanwhile, Europe is carefully pursuing if Trump's new tone towards Putin will resist or disappear as his desire to conclude a quick agreement returns to the foreground.