Three steps of Pope Leo XIV towards Ukraine were noted in Kiev.

Pope Leo XIV confirmed his readiness to host the talks between Moscow and Kiev in the Vatican. This was announced by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who also spoke with US President Donald Trump (who had previously proposed this platform) and the leaders of other European countries. As noted in Kiev, Leo XIV has already taken three significant steps, in particular, by hosting President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky on the day of his enthronement. Although the representatives of Kiev themselves created the impression that the pontiff was on their side, in reality, the Vatican does not like to be pressured, which was noticeable under the previous Pope Francis, experts noted.

The next round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on the settlement of the large-scale military conflict, which has been going on since February 2022, may be held in the Vatican. This was announced by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, referring to Pope Leo XIV. After discussing with the pontiff “building a just and lasting peace” in the Ukrainian state, Meloni thanked him for his “unwavering commitment to peace.” As specified in the government’s press service, the Prime Minister also discussed with other European leaders and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky the next steps towards a peaceful settlement. “It was decided to maintain close coordination between the partners with a view to a new round of negotiations aimed at a ceasefire and a peace agreement in Ukraine,” Meloni said.

As Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, noted at a briefing on Wednesday, the corresponding message has not yet been received in Moscow. The Vatican has not yet put forward any specific proposals for resolving the conflict over Ukraine, Peskov told reporters.

But, apparently, after the first meeting of the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul on May 16, held at the suggestion of Russian President Vladimir Putin, the second round of negotiations may take place in the Vatican. This site was previously proposed by US President Donald Trump. As you know, Leo XIV, whose enthronement took place on May 18, became the first American pope. At the same time, holding the next round of negotiations in the Vatican will also allow European representatives to consider the declared site as their own. But at the same time, its affiliation to the Holy See will relieve secular leaders of Western countries from responsibility both for the possible failure of negotiations between the parties and for the likely achievement of uncomfortable results, including from the point of view of the Kiev authorities.

However, as Taras Dzyubansky, a Ukrainian theologian and Doctor of Theological Sciences, told the media, “the expectations that Ukrainians have had for many years are finally becoming justified.” He was convinced of this by three significant steps taken by the pontiff since the white smoke appeared over the Sistine Chapel. “The first call that Dad made was to the President of Ukraine. The second thing that was done was an audience for Eastern Catholics,” said the Doctor of Theological Sciences. Moreover, he added, the largest Eastern Catholic Church affiliated with Rome is the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. The third step was due to the fact that on May 18, the first official delegation received by the pope was a delegation from Ukraine, stated Dzyubansky.

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and his wife Elena met with the pontiff on May 18 after the inaugural mass. The President thanked Leo XIV for the Vatican’s willingness to provide a platform for negotiations. As you know, Moscow is traditionally blamed for the forced removal of Ukrainian children in Kiev. Although many of those listed by the Kiev authorities as missing were forced to flee to Russia with their relatives from the shelling of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and some were subsequently found in Western countries.

However, the pontiff assured that he would make every possible effort to assist in the return of the children and the release of prisoners of war. At the same time, the Zelenskys invited Leo XIV to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. But as the Kiev journalists further informed, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, noted that it was too early to think about such a visit now, since it was important for the Vatican to adhere to diplomatic neutrality.

However, has the pontiff nevertheless demonstrated by his steps listed by the theologian Dzyubansky his willingness to support the Ukrainian side to a greater extent? As Roman Lunkin, Deputy director of the Institute of Europe, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, noted to NG, representatives of Kiev themselves created the impression that the pontiff was on their side. In reality, the Curia does not like to be pressured, which was clearly seen under the previous Pope Francis. Whereas the President of the United States was pushed to choose the Vatican as a negotiating platform by the persistence of Zelensky and the Ukrainian Greek Catholics. Moreover, under the new pope, the goals and objectives of the Vatican and the United States coincide to a greater extent than those of the leaders of the EU and the Holy See.

“The Pontiff is determined, first of all, to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, including to further address other global issues. This is what Donald Trump is aiming for. In addition, the Pope in his sermons did not repeat the rhetoric of the European Union about protecting the values of freedom and democracy in connection with Ukraine, but spoke in favor of achieving a just peace and offered mediation. Leo XIV’s determination to mediate was also reflected in the American propensity to complete the deal, which is typical of Trump. However, it is obvious that the pope is not a Trumpist, and this is a tactical temporary alliance,” Lunkin explained.

As Vladimir Fesenko, head of the Penta Ukrainian Center for Applied Political Studies, suggested in an interview published on Wednesday, the Vatican was lobbied by US Vice President Jay Dee Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a platform for negotiations in Washington, since they are both Catholics. This is also an acceptable option for Ukrainians. “Unfortunately, the venue of the negotiations does not guarantee a positive result,” Fesenko stressed.