Due to the context in which the 15-minute discussion between the two leaders took place, concerning the funeral ceremony of Pope Francis, the chosen location, St. Peter’s Cathedral in the Vatican, and the tension between the two, the image represents, besides finding a way of communication between Trump and Zelenski, a first hope that the ceasefire in Ukraine could truly be achieved.
The power of the image was so suggestive that it quickly went around the world, being shared both by Trump and Zelenski on their social media accounts.
„…Putin had no reason to launch missiles into civilian areas, cities, and towns in the last few days. It makes me believe that, perhaps, he doesn’t want to stop the war, but just to deceive me…,” wrote Donald Trump on TruthSocial, shortly after the meeting with Zelenski.
The attitude of the American president, accepting such a close physical approach to the one he considered an enemy and solely responsible for the deadlock in peace talks, captured in the already iconic image, also signifies a moment of revelation for Trump, who realized that the Russian leader is, in reality, buying time and deceiving him.
Trump, from admiration to disappointment
Several commentators have noted that Putin has a sophisticated strategy of feigning a desire to end the conflict, actually aiming to gain time to exploit any potential weakness of the US, Ukraine, or Europe to achieve his goal, which is to impose political, economic, and military control over Kiev.
The efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict continue; it is too early to talk about any terms of the agreement...
Dmitri Peskov, spokesperson for the President of Russia, April 27
But neither experts nor journalists can convince Trump of the Russian president's plans.
The American leader has had direct experience with Putin. The two have spoken on the phone countless times, their envoys have negotiated for hours in meetings, they have received detailed reports from discussions. And probably, the two leaders had a plan to end the conflict, but it didn't work out.
Trump's reaction was one of disappointment towards Putin, a leader he once said he admired. The current US president, by recalling the attack on Sumy, Ukraine, against civilians, an attack ordered by the Russian president, also expresses that his trust was betrayed, with Putin breaking a promise.
"...it was a symbolic meeting, with the potential to become historic if common results are achieved. I express my gratitude to Donald Trump," stated Volodymyr Zelenski after the cathedral discussion.
US Threat of New Sanctions against Russia
Shortly after the US president showed his irritation towards Putin, the Kremlin officially announced that it is ready to begin direct negotiations with Ukraine without any "preconditions."
Moscow's move is significant because it indicates a genuine concern for the possibility of Americans withdrawing from negotiations for the first time.
Europe will always stand by Ukraine, supporting it in the quest for peace. You can count on us to achieve a fair and lasting peace...
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
Such concern from Russia also reflects a prevailing trend at the Kremlin, that of seeking to end the conflict, at least for a period.
Although slow and difficult to notice, the situation on the frontlines is changing, day by day, in favor of Ukraine. Kiev's forces no longer have a major problem with the arms crisis, they manage to dominate Russia in drone confrontations, and have increasingly solid and expanded control of the airspace with the involvement of F-16 aircraft.
"We have not imposed new sanctions on Russia because we hope to bring the conflicting parties closer. Next week could be decisive for peace negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine," stated Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, on a TV show.
The image from St. Peter's Cathedral intends to overshadow the incident on February 28, when Trump and Vance, leaders of the American administration, attacked, criticized, and humiliated Volodymyr Zelenski, trying to undermine his huge popularity and global influence.
An Accidental Tribute
Polls conducted after the first 100 days of Donald Trump's presidency show that his presidency is perceived as "chaotic and frightening" by the majority of Americans, according to a study conducted by New York Times/Siena College.
Therefore, the ceasefire in Ukraine could also represent a relaunch of Donald Trump's mandate.
"...a bill, supported by both parties, with additional tariffs for countries buying Russian oil, gas, and uranium is ready," stated Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. "The Senate is ready to move forward and will pass it with an overwhelming majority if Russia refuses a fair, just, and lasting peace," added the American senator two days ago.
The symbol image, which can also be interpreted as an accidental tribute to the great writer Mario Vargas Llosa, who passed away eight days before Pope Francis, and to his masterpiece, the novel "Conversation in the Cathedral", truly marks the beginning of negotiations for achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine.