Pope Offers Vatican as Venue for Ukraine-Russia Direct Talks Amid Istanbul Setback
The Vatican has offered to host direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, after high-level talks in Istanbul collapsed due to Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s refusal to attend, The Gaze reports, citing La Stampa.
On Thursday, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin confirmed that Pope Leo XIV is ready to “make the Vatican, the Holy See, available for a direct meeting between the two parties, if necessary.”
“It is all very tragic, because we were hoping that a process would begin, perhaps slowly, but with a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Instead, we are back to the beginning,” Parolin told reporters on the sidelines of an event linked to the Istanbul summit.
He acknowledged the diplomatic deadlock, adding: “Now we will see what to do, but the situation is very complicated, dramatic.”
Putin’s absence from the talks has derailed efforts by several nations, including an unexpected push by U.S. President Donald Trump, who had suggested the talks and hinted at attending himself. Trump, however, returned to Washington after his visit to the Gulf, saying, “Let’s see what happens between Russia and Ukraine. See Putin? As soon as possible.”
As The Gaze reported, Ukraine will send a delegation headed by its Defence Minister Rustem Umerov to Istanbul, Turkey, for peace talks with Russia on 15 May.
On 14 May, Russian leader Vladimir Putin approved the list of Russian representatives to participate in talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on 15 May, which he did not join.
Read more on The Gaze: Who Are Russia and Ukraine Sending to Istanbul Talks?