The Vatican could potentially be used as neutral grounds to host peace talks supported by the United States, Europe, Russia, and Ukraine.
Leonid Sevastinaov is the president of the World Union of Old Believers, a Swiss based organization linked to Russian Orthodox Metropolitan Hilarion. The president announced this possibility after speaking with Pope Francis. The two have been in contact since May after the Pope sent him a signed note blessing the president's peace efforts. Pope Francis has repeatedly called for an end to the conflict and for an openness to peace talks.
POPE FRANCIS
The Holy See is willing to do whatever is necessary, to put itself at the service of peace.
Sevastinaov said that the Vatican is one of the countries that has friendly relations with Russia, Ukraine, the U.S. and NATO. It is also seen as neutral. He explained this makes the Vatican “an optimal place for talks.”
The Ukrainian Ambassador to the Holy See has expressed the country's willingness to have the Vatican as the place for peace talks.
ANDRII YURASH
Ukrainian ambassador-designate to the Holy See
We want to see Vatican, Holy See, as a place where representatives of both sides can sit to discuss openly any situations and consequences and how to reach the aim, to reach peace.
On November 7, Pope Francis met with the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk. The Archbishop believes that a papal visit to Ukraine could help end the war.
The Pope also met with French President Macron at the end of October. According to the newspaper, Le Point, Macron urged Pope Francis to make a direct appeal to U.S. President Joe Biden, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Moscow Patriarch Kirill to push for peace.
KG
