Just as international eyes turned to a possible high-stakes meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, plans hit a roadblock—right in the heart of Rome.
The issue? Russia doesn’t like the idea of holding the summit in a country it sees as being a little too cozy with Ukraine.
Trump Picks Rome—Meloni’s All In
According to Italy’s Corriere della Sera, the ball got rolling when former U.S. President Donald Trump picked up the phone and called Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
His suggestion? Let’s host the Putin-Trump summit in Rome.
Meloni didn’t hesitate—she gave her full support to the idea.
Within hours, the momentum picked up. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio took things further by formally proposing Rome as the meeting spot during a National Security Council meeting, which included European and Ukrainian leaders.
Zelensky Gives the Green Light
Surprisingly, Ukraine didn’t raise any objections.
In fact, President Volodymyr Zelensky was quick to sign off on the plan.
He reportedly said he was “fully supportive” of using Rome as neutral ground for the summit.
Moscow Shuts It Down—Fast
But Moscow wasn’t having it. As soon as the proposal was floated, Russia voiced strong objections.
Their reasoning? Italy’s continued and visible support for Ukraine makes it an unsuitable host for such a sensitive meeting.
From Moscow’s point of view, Italy isn’t neutral—it’s firmly in Ukraine’s corner.
That perception alone was enough to make the Kremlin say no to Rome.
What’s Next for the Summit?
With Rome likely off the table, the future of the Putin-Trump summit is uncertain.
It’s clear both sides are still weighing their options, and a new venue may need to be found—one that doesn’t ruffle as many feathers.
Until then, it’s a diplomatic chess match with no clear winner just yet.