Sarah Rainesford
BBC Rome correspondent
Distributed materials from the President of Ukraine
Voldy Mirzelensky of Ukraine met Pope Leo at the Vatican earlier this week
Italy supports President Donald Trump’s proposal that the Vatican might mediate talks about negotiating a ceasefire in Ukraine, but he appears to want to back off the process.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said Italy was ready to “promote contact and work towards peace” in Ukraine, which he said was “the Pope’s willingness to hold talks at the Vatican” and “he saw it positively.”
In fact, there is no solid agreement yet on further discussion. Last Friday’s meeting with Ukrainian officials in Istanbul brought additional demands from Moscow, not progress.
Pope Leo said last week that the Vatican is “always ready” to unite the enemy, and that peace will “make every effort” to win.
But Sacred Sea says that the idea of hosting, or even mediation, suggesting Trump is an option, is more hope than a concrete plan.
Reuters
Giorgia Meloni has warmly responded to the US proposal for the Vatican to hold peace talks
If direct involvement continues, Ukraine appears to be open to the concept of hosting the Vatican.
Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X on Tuesday and spoke with Giorgia Meloni, which includes “a platform that could be consulted with Russians.”
The Italian Prime Minister said, “As usual, a cool idea,” but he also nurtured Türkiye and Switzerland as alternative venues.
The Kremlin may prefer to stay in Türkiye. He talks about a process called “Istanbul Plus” and styles the talk as a follow-up to the first deal discussed in Turkey shortly after a full-scale invasion.
These conditions, including Ukraine, have significantly reduced their own troops and represent the surrender of Kiev today.
But Russia added more. The “plus” part means the recognition of the annexation of Crimea with the four partially occupied regions of Ukraine.
The actual venue is of little importance to the Kremlin. All it wants is that the argument is about the conditions of Vladimir Putin.
The meaningful outlook for progress seems frankly slim.
But will the Vatican lend some extra moral authority to promote some kind of compromise?
The Catholic Church has a history of helping to mediate conflicts and is already involved in consultations to free prisoners and return Ukrainian children who have been accused of Russia.
However, the real input is not clear as others play the same role.
Meanwhile, the involvement of the Vatican, particularly the new Pope, will bring a different tone to the proceedings.
Its quiet style couldn’t go far from Donald Trump’s capitalized social media posts and a brutal public showdown with Zelensky in the oval office. And the setting already seems to work incredible male relationships.
At Pope Francis’ funeral, they had their heads closed deep within the conversation within St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Vatican takes pride in its diplomacy. That’s why, after others began bombing Ukraine, when others cut ties with Moscow, the Catholic Church sent cardinal envoys to speak to the Kremlin. It had no effect.
EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
President Trump improvised with Ukrainian leaders at Pope Francis’ funeral at St. Peter’s Cathedral
Like Donald Trump, Pope Francis always avoided openly identifying Russia as an invader. Vatican sources say it was to keep the door to Ajar’s dialogue, even if it seemed hopeless.
However, Francis further confused the Ukrainians by suggesting that Russia was “provoked” by NATO. He then agreed that it might be wise for Kiev to surrender “with a white flag.”
For Kiev, Pope Leo may be a preferred potential peace intermediary. He is recorded when the bishop condemns Russian invasion as an imperialist war and condemns crimes against humanity committed by Putin’s army.
If the Vatican holds a speech, it is unlikely to bother the Kremlin.
“Putin can explain his position to the Pope. He believes it is just. In his mind, it is Ukraine that is not serious about the peace meeting,” argued Tatiana Stanobaya of the Carnegie Russian Eurasian Centre.
“I don’t think it’s a moment when the Pope could have any effect on Putin’s understanding.”
At this point, Russia is not under much pressure to give the ground. All stories of Donald Trump’s punishment for Putin have been transformed into stories of trade with Russia due to his incommunity. It provides incentives rather than threatening sanctions.
It is true that Moscow wanted more and more.
“They hope that Zelensky will be removed and that the US and EU will stop military aid, but on this, the US was on the Ukrainian side from a Russian perspective,” says Tatiana Stanovaya.
Therefore, Russia is ready to play a long game. This does not include compromises.
“If the Pope can help pressure in Ukraine, Putin will not have any problems [with his involvement]She says.
That seems to be the real problem here. It runs far deeper than eating meze or anti-pasty between hypothetical rounds of new lectures.
