The Ukrainian leader met Pope Leone at Castel Gandolfo and said he invited him to visit Ukraine. He held a bilateral at Palazzo Chigi with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, telling Italian media he trusts her role in potential negotiations. Responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Kyiv is using the war to avoid voting, Zelensky said he is “always ready” for elections. Kyiv’s updated plan follows consultations in London with leaders from France, Germany and the United Kingdom, according to ANSA. Zelensky’s Rome stop comes after meetings in Brussels with NATO and EU chiefs, while Hungary signaled dissent over energy and Ukraine policy.
