Zelenskyy: Ukraine Ready for Vatican Peace Talks to End Russian Aggression
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s readiness to hold peace negotiations at the highest level at the Vatican to stop Russian aggression and build a stable and lasting peace.
He made the statement during his audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Papal Palace in Castel Gandolfo, The Gaze reports.
Zelenskyy expressed deep gratitude to the Pontiff for his consistent support and prayers for peace in Ukraine. He stated tht Ukraine is prepared to meet at the level of leaders at the Vatican to stop Russian aggression and achieve a stable, lasting, and genuine peace.
He added that Russia has refused this proposal, as it has rejected all other peace initiatives since the start of its full-scale invasion.
Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the Vatican’s readiness to serve as a platform for peace talks.
President Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine will continue working to strengthen international solidarity in order to ensure diplomacy can succeed. The two leaders also discussed the Vatican’s continued mediation efforts to return Ukrainian children who were abducted by Russia.
Zelenskyy offered special thanks to the Pope for the care shown to Ukrainian children, particularly those who have been released from captivity and are being rehabilitated in Italy.
In their conversation, the President also highlighted the importance of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky, a historic leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church known for rescuing Jews during the Holocaust and defending Christian values.
Zelenskyy voiced hope that Sheptytsky’s legacy will receive broader recognition within the Catholic Church.
This marked the second official meeting between Zelenskyy and Pope Leo XIV. Their first audience occurred on the day of the Pontiff’s inaugural Mass and was the first meeting Pope Leo XIV granted to a Head of State.
President Zelenskyy concluded the visit by inviting the Pope to make his first Apostolic Visit to Ukraine.
As The Gaze previously reported, during Sunday prayers at the Vatican on July 7, Pope Leo XIV called for dialogue to end the war in Ukraine.