President Donald Trump has reportedly told French President Emmanuel Macron to "step aside" before holding a private conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, during an impromptu meeting on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican recently.
The development came in the wake of growing tensions between the United States and European nations after the US administration revoked its security guarantees to Europe and NATO countries. British media cited a professional lip reader in revealing the details of the exchange.
Footage from the Vatican showed President Zelensky walking towards the seating area with President Trump, glancing back repeatedly, apparently expecting Macron to join them. Three chairs had been set up, suggesting initial plans for a three-way discussion.
However, as Macron approached and greeted Zelensky, a staff member from the Trump administration discreetly removed the third chair. Trump was seen gesturing firmly, indicating the meeting would be strictly between him and Zelensky, prompting Macron to eventually step back.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Nicola Hickling, a British entrepreneur specialising in lip-reading and expert witness reports, offered insight into the incident.
“Donald reaches his hands out to both of them and brings them towards him,” Hickling said. Trump then allegedly told Macron, “You are not in the right here; I need you to do me a favour, and you should not be here.”
Hickling added that Zelensky “nods in agreement, and the vicar, who is in front of the camera, turns his head to the side, looking worried at what he has heard between them.”
While French sources confirmed the exchange, they downplayed its significance, insisting that Macron had no intention of participating in the discussion.
“People have got their brains in a twist over the third chair. (It) was supposed to be for the interpreter, but in the end it turned into a tete-a-tete,” French sources told reporters.
Saturday's meeting was the first face-to-face encounter between Trump and Zelensky since their clash at the White House in February. Their conversation comes as President Trump has been pressing Kiev to accept what the media have described as his “final offer” to end hostilities.
According to reports, Washington’s proposal involves freezing the conflict along the current front lines and recognising Crimea as part of Russia — a condition that President Zelensky has repeatedly rejected.
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