What Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump said to one another at the Pope’s burial, their first encounter since their confrontation in the Oval Office, has been made public by a lip reader.

Zelensky said the meeting between the US and Ukrainian leaders might be “historic” and lasted around 15 minutes inside St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

As international leaders rush to try and find a way to end the war in Ukraine, which has been going on for more than three years, the White House also praised the conference as “very productive.”

Video from the meeting shows Zelensky, dressed in a black top and pants, and Trump, dressed in a blue suit, sitting across from each other and leaning forward on the edge of their chairs as they engage in a heated discussion.

Emmanuel Macron and Sir Keir Starmer later joined the two world leaders, and Macron put his hand on the Ukrainian president’s shoulder and gave Zelensky a loving embrace.

A lip reader claims that Trump gave Zelensky “reassurance” during the hurriedly scheduled bilateral meeting on the sidelines of Pope Francis’s funeral.

Zelensky said Trump, “I would like you to do that but not this way,” according to forensic lip reader Nicola Hickling, despite the fact that there is only a short video of the encounter.

Trump is then said to have replied, “It’s a very interesting strategy, you have reassurance.”

Ms. Hickling’s analysis of the important meeting also revealed that when the French president arrived while the two chairs for the US and Ukrainian presidents were being set up, there was a chilly discussion between Trump and Macron.

Zelensky and Macron are seen holding hands affectionately before Trump yanks the French president in his direction.

According to Ms Hickling, Trump told Macron, “Slow down, let me bring…” before they are removed from the camera shot.

Trump then warns the French president, “You are not in the right here, I need you to do me a favour, you should not be here.” 

When Trump tells Macron this, Zelensky nods in agreement, but the vicar on the edge of the huddle seems to ‘uncomfortably’ move away, as Ms. Hickling noted.

It happened was the first in-person encounter between Trump and Zelensky since the two men argued at the White House in February, during which the US president informed his Ukrainian colleague, “You don’t have the cards.”

Trump, who earlier this week accused Zelensky of blocking peace talks and blamed Ukraine for instigating the war, reiterated the same message.

The White House maintained that the most recent meeting was “very productive,” while Zelensky called it “very symbolic” and said it may be important “if we can achieve joint results.”

A photo of the meeting was posted by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha who wrote on X: “No words are needed to describe the importance of this historic meeting. Two leaders working for peace in St. Peter’s Basilica.”

The encounter, which happened just before the Pope’s burial started, also had the “potential to become historic,” according to Zelensky.

He said on Telegram, “Good meeting. We discussed a lot one-on-one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out. Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you.”

Trump and Zelensky then descended the basilica’s stairs, where the Ukrainian leader was greeted by thunderous cheers from the crowds before they were seated in the front row.

Macron and other world leaders were seated between them, a short distance apart.

Following the fruitful discussion with Zelensky, Trump promptly betrayed Vladimir Putin by doubting his commitment to halting the conflict in Ukraine.

When Moscow kept launching missiles at Kyiv earlier this week, the US president expressed his concern that Putin was playing him.

On his Truth Social account, he said, “There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns over the last few days. It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through ‘Banking’ or ‘Secondary Sanctions?’ Too many people are dying!”

The hardening of Mr. Trump’s position against Putin will give Kyiv optimism for a peace agreement that does not require Ukraine to give up territory to Russia.

Trump has put up a plan in recent weeks for the US to formally recognize Crimea, which Putin has controlled since 2014, as Russian territory.

The US would also acknowledge that Putin’s forces have been in control of the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine since 2022.

Trump has warned that if Zelensky rejects the agreement, the US will withdraw from the peace negotiations.

Zelensky and his wife Olena were given front-row seats among international leaders during the funeral service in St. Peter’s Square, seemingly defying Vatican precedent.

Zelenksy met with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and Macron following the burial.

He was also asked to see Starmer and his wife, Victoria, at the home of the British ambassador in Rome.