Pope Leo XIV offers Vatican ‍as Venue for Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks

VATICAN CITY ⁤– Pope Leo XIV has offered⁣ the Vatican⁢ as⁢ a potential ⁤location for peace negotiations ⁢between Russia and Ukraine, a proposal that has garnered attention from leaders in the United States and Europe. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia‍ Meloni confirmed the offer Monday.

According to Meloni,the proposal was discussed during a call between U.S.President Donald Trump and several European leaders following Trump’s‍ conversation with Russian ‍President Vladimir Putin.

Trump ⁣Voices ⁤Support for Vatican ‍Venue

“I think it would be great⁤ to celebrate it in the Vatican. Maybe it would have some additional meaning,”⁢ Trump said during an ⁢appearance at the White House.

Meloni added that the leaders ⁢positively received the pontiff’s willingness to host discussions at the Vatican.

Key Leaders Involved in Discussions

The call included ⁣Trump and Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, along with French President⁣ Emmanuel macron, German Foreign ⁢Minister Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, italian ⁣Prime Minister Meloni, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The purpose ‍of the call was to‍ “work for the immediate opening⁢ of negotiations between the⁢ parties, which can conduct as soon as possible in a high fire and establish the conditions of a ‍fair and lasting peace in Ukraine,” according to a statement.

Zelensky indicated that ⁣the⁣ next meeting between⁣ Ukrainian and Russian representatives could ⁤occur ⁣with American and European participation in the Vatican, Switzerland, or ⁣Türkiye.

Pope’s Call for Peace

Last⁤ week, Pope Leo XIV, during his official installation, offered his mediation to warring parties worldwide while addressing ⁤representatives of Eastern Christian churches.

“The Holy See is available for ‍enemies to be and look into their‍ eyes,for peoples to recover the ‍hope and‍ dignity ⁤that belongs to ⁤them,the ‍dignity of peace,”

The Pope lamented violence in ⁤regions including the ⁣Holy Land,Ukraine,Lebanon,Syria,the Middle East,Tigray in Ethiopia,and the Caucasus,urging efforts to achieve peace.

“I will do my ‍best to make this peace spread,” the Pope pledged, following a weekend ⁤meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

Vatican Ready ‍to Host Direct⁣ Talks

The Holy See’s Secretary of State,⁣ Pietro Parolin,⁣ confirmed the pontiff’s readiness to host a “direct encounter” between Ukrainian and⁤ Russian officials, according to media⁣ reports.

Trump Foresees Immediate Negotiations

President Trump spoke of his call with Putin, announcing that “Russia and ⁢Ukraine will instantly begin negotiations to achieve⁤ a high⁣ fire and, more⁣ importantly, the end of the war.”

Trump stated in a social media post that the dialog ‍“has gone very‍ well. Russia ⁢and Ukraine will immediately ⁣begin⁣ negotiations to achieve ⁤a high fire and, ⁣more ⁣importantly, the end of the war. The conditions for this will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be, because they know details of a negotiation that no one⁤ would know more.”

He added, “The tone and spirit⁣ of the conversation were ⁤excellent… Russia wants to trade on a large scale with the United States when ‍this catastrophic ‘blood⁢ bath’ ends, and I ⁢agree.”

Trump also noted the potential for Russia to create jobs and wealth and for Ukraine to benefit from trade during its reconstruction.

(Material from AFP and EFE was⁣ used in this report.)