Starmer and Zelensky vow to ‘keep momentum’ on peace deal

Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to “keep momentum and proceed working intensively” on efforts to finish the warfare in Ukraine once they met in Rome after the Pope’s funeral.

The leaders mentioned the “optimistic progress made in current days” in the direction of securing a peace deal, Downing Avenue mentioned.

The prime minister was joined by the Prince of Wales for the Pope’s funeral in St Peter’s Sq. on Saturday.

Earlier than the service, Sir Keir, US President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macron have been pictured talking in a huddle inside St Peter’s Basilica.

Sir Keir and Zelensky “mentioned optimistic progress made in current days to safe a simply and lasting peace in Ukraine”, a Downing Avenue spokesperson mentioned.

“They agreed to take care of momentum and proceed working intensively with worldwide companions to drive ahead the following phases of planning.”

It’s understood they’d a 15-minute one-to-one assembly as they walked across the gardens of the Ambassador’s residence after the Pope’s funeral.

Their delegations then had an additional assembly lasting round 20 minutes.

Zelensky and Trump had a 15-minute one-to-one assembly forward of the service, a day after US envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin – as talks between the three nations over ending the warfare in Ukraine proceed.

The US and Ukrainian presidents have been pictured locked in dialogue whereas going through one another on a pair of pink chairs in opposition to the ornate backdrop of the basilica.

Zelensky mentioned following the funeral that the assembly with Trump had been “good” and “very symbolic” with the “potential to turn into historic”.

The Prince of Wales and Sir Keir paid their respects to the Pope as they joined world leaders for his funeral.

They have been amongst 55 heads of state, 14 heads of presidency and 12 reigning monarchs who joined mourners for the open-air service in entrance of the basilica.

Prince William, who was representing his father King Charles III, stood facet by facet with the prime minister for a second of silence in entrance of Pope Francis’ coffin.

The prince, sporting a darkish blue go well with and black tie, clasped his fingers as he solemnly bowed his head forward of the funeral mass, earlier than strolling by way of the ornate St Peter’s Basilica to fulfill a member of the clergy and be guided to his seat.

It marks his most vital obligation as far as inheritor to the throne and is the primary time the prince has represented the King – who’s head of the Church of England – at a world funeral.

Prince William briefly spoke to Trump and First Woman Melania Trump on his means into the service, Kensington Palace mentioned.

He additionally spoke to Macron and his spouse Brigitte.

Through the service, the prince was seated within the third row subsequent to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whereas Jordan’s King Abdullah and Queen Rania have been seated within the row in entrance of him.

The choice for the inheritor to the throne to attend a papal funeral is in line with trendy custom – after King Charles, whereas the Prince of Wales, attended the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005 on behalf of his mom, Queen Elizabeth II.

Sir Keir was joined by his spouse, Victoria, and Overseas Secretary David Lammy.

Pope Francis died aged 88 on Easter Monday after struggling in poor health well being following a bout of double pneumonia earlier within the yr.

The Vatican estimates that 250,000 folks attended the Pope’s funeral in St Peter’s Sq. and the encircling space.