Pope Leo XIV appears to have offered the Vatican’s mediation in the Ukraine peace process. In a post on X, the Holy Father wrote that ‘the Holy See is willing to help enemies meet, so they may look each other in the eye and so people may be given back the dignity they deserve: the dignity of peace.’ He added: ‘With heart in hand, I say to the leaders of nations: let us meet; let us dialogue; let us negotiate!’
New Momentum in Peace Talks
Pope Leo’s offer comes as diplomatic momentum surrounding peace talks has intensified in recent days. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signalled a major shift in Kyiv’s position, indicating he is now willing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin face-to-face in Türkiye. The possible meeting could take place on Thursday, when Zelenskyy is scheduled to travel to Ankara to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—another key mediator between the warring parties.
Zelenskyy stated he would ‘do everything to agree on a ceasefire, because it is with [Putin] that I must negotiate a ceasefire, as only he can decide on it.’ His comments followed Putin’s offer on Sunday to resume negotiations based on the Istanbul talks held in March 2022, the first serious attempt to end the war, which began on 24 February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.
Although the Kremlin has not responded directly to the proposed Ankara meeting, it rejected a 30-day immediate ceasefire proposal, stating that ‘the language of ultimatums is unacceptable for Russia. It is not suitable. You cannot talk to Russia in this language.’
Pressure Mounts on Russia
Nevertheless, pressure on Putin is mounting, as both the European Union and the United States intensify their efforts to bring Russia back to the negotiating table. US President Donald Trump, currently in Qatar on a four-day Middle Eastern trip, announced on Wednesday that he is ready to travel to Türkiye to take part in the talks—on the condition that Putin also attends. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is already scheduled to arrive in Istanbul on Friday.
This fresh diplomatic momentum follows Washington’s announcement in late April that it would take a step back from acting as a direct mediator between Kyiv and Moscow. The move, which coincided with the 100th day of Trump’s second term, signalled a transition in the US approach to the conflict. As Anton Bendarzsevszkij, Director of the Oeconomus Economic Research Foundation, told Hungarian Conservative, ‘the first 100 days were focused on understanding the concerns, red lines, and negotiating positions of both parties.’ In the weeks ahead, he continued, the peace process will centre on narrowing the gap between the two sides and bringing them closer to a viable compromise.
In his first speech after his election, Pope Leo emphasized peace and dialogue ‘without fear’.
Related articles:
