The proposal put forward by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, for a solution to the crisis in Ukraine was at the center of the conversation that took place today between Pope Francis and the Russian ambassador to the Holy See, Ivan Soltanovsky. “We discussed the Ukrainian issue, including the conditions for a peaceful solution” recently expressed by Putin and “I expressed gratitude to the pontiff for his constantly balanced position”, said the ambassador, referring to the Russian leader’s proposal which provides , among other things, the international recognition of the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia (Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia) as well as the abolition of anti-Russian sanctions.
The Russian ambassador specified that Francis is constantly seeking a diplomatic solution, “understanding the complexity of the international conflict”. The Pope and Soltanovsky also highlighted the role of the pontiff’s envoy to Ukraine, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, «in the resolution of a whole series of humanitarian issues». The Russian diplomat finally highlighted that «the Vatican realizes the uselessness of the peace process without the participation of Russia”, expressing the willingness to continue a “regular and confidential dialogue between Russia and the Holy See”. Efforts continue within the Vatican to reach a solution to the conflict in Ukraine.
