Vatican ready to host Ukraine-Russia talks but fears appearing biased – Reuters
Pope Leo XIV (Getty Images)
The Vatican is open to possibly hosting negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, but it wants to maintain a neutral appearance, Reuters reports.
The outlet noted that the Vatican has made no public statements regarding the organization of Ukraine-Russia peace talks since US President Donald Trump first proposed the idea of holding negotiations to end the war in Ukraine at the Vatican.
On May 20, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that Pope Leo confirmed his readiness to host such talks during a phone call.
One Vatican official told Reuters that the Holy See generally maintains a policy of openness to hosting negotiations aimed at ending any global conflict, but does so cautiously "so as not to be considered biased toward one of the belligerents."
Meanwhile, Massimo Faggioli, an Italian scholar who closely follows Vatican affairs, suggested that the Vatican may fear the transition period between popes could become politically charged.
Ukraine-Russia talks
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated that Ukraine and its partners are considering the possibility of holding a new round of negotiations with Russia in the Vatican or two other locations.
Zelenskyy has already met personally with the new Pope. Following their meeting, the Ukrainian head of state said that the pontiff had indeed expressed a willingness to help organize peace talks.
Notably, the first round of the renewed Ukraine-Russia negotiations took place in Istanbul.
