Pope suggests peace talks with Russia during Zelenskyy visit
Photo: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Pope Leo XIV (Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Pope Leo XIV. They discussed the peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, The Guardian reports.
The Vatican said that Zelenskyy and the Pope "discussed the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for a just and lasting peace."
"During the cordial conversation, the importance of dialogue as the preferred means of ending hostilities was reaffirmed. The Holy Father expressed his sorrow for the victims and renewed his prayers and closeness to the Ukrainian people, encouraging every effort aimed at the release of prisoners and the search for shared solutions," the Vatican said.
Pope Leo has confirmed his readiness to host representatives of both Russia and Ukraine at the Vatican for peace negotiations.
Updated
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he had discussed with the Pope the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia and the possibility of involving the Vatican in a peaceful settlement.
"I especially thanked the Pope for his support of Ukrainian children, particularly those returned from Russian captivity. Ukrainian children now have the opportunity for rehabilitation and rest in Italy, and such hospitality and sincerity are extremely important. Today, we also discussed the Vatican’s continued efforts to help return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia," he said.
Zelenskyy's visit to Rome
Today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Rome to attend the Coalition of the Willing meeting.
According to media reports, during his visit, Zelenskyy is also expected to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
Vatican’s role as a mediator
Previously, Zelenskyy stated that Pope Leo XIV had expressed willingness to play a role in peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. At the same time, the Vatican’s top diplomat, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said that Pope Leo intends to offer the Vatican as a neutral ground for talks between the two warring countries.
However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested the Vatican might serve as a venue for direct Ukraine-Russia talks, though he emphasized he would not consider the Vatican a peace broker in such talks.
Ukraine-Russia negotiations
The first round of talks took place on May 16 in Istanbul, where both sides agreed on a prisoner exchange in a 1000-for-1000 format. The second round concluded on June 2, also in Istanbul.
Preparations for a third meeting are currently underway, with Istanbul again likely to be the host city. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently stated that Russia has expressed readiness to take part in the third round of peace negotiations with Ukraine.
