ROME. – Amid an extremely delicate moment marked by hectic negotiations with European partners to agree on a new version of the US-sponsored peace plan acceptable to both Ukraine and Russia, Pope Leo XIV received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the third time this Tuesdayin the papal residence Castel Gandolfo, on the outskirts of Rome.
“During the cordial colloquium focused on the war in Ukraine, The Holy Father reiterated the need to continue the dialogue and renewed his firm hope that the ongoing diplomatic initiatives will lead to a just and lasting peace,” the Holy See said in a statement. “He also mentioned the issue of prisoners of war and the need to ensure the return of Ukrainian children to their families,” he added, without giving further details.
The third personal conversation between the Pope and Zelensky, who had already met on May 18, the day of Robert Prevost’s inauguration, and on July 9, lasted half an hour. After, The two heads of state appeared together on the balcony of Villa Barberini and greeted journalists and photographers without commenting.
Zelensky informed the Pope after the diplomatic marathon the day before and under pressure from the White House, which wants to end the war in Ukraine at all costs. However, under similar conditions as if Kiev were to surrender and for Europe. This Monday Zelensky met with the British Prime Minister for the first time in London. Keir Starmerthe French President, Emmanuel Macron and the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
He then flew to Brussels, where he met the President of the European Commission. Ursula von der Leyenthe President of the European Council, Antonio Costa and Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte. During the tour, Zelensky, who will later meet with the Italian prime minister, said Giorgia Meloni– developed, together with its European allies, a new version of the United States peace plan, but without the eight “anti-Ukrainian” points, which will be presented in Washington this Tuesdayaccording to press sources.
“During today’s audience with His Holiness I thanked him for his constant prayers for Ukraine and the Ukrainian peopleas well as his demands for a just peace,” the Ukrainian leader wrote on his X account, where he also uploaded photos of this third meeting with the American Pope, where he appeared, as usual, in a black military uniform.I briefed him on diplomatic efforts with the United States to achieve peace. “We discussed the next steps and the Vatican’s mediation for the return of our children kidnapped by Russia,” he added.
“I thank His Holiness for all his efforts to support young Ukrainians. Thank you for this conversation and for the attention given to our people,” he also said, repeating his invitation to the supreme leader of Catholics to visit Ukraine. “That would be a strong sign of support for our people.”he emphasized.
The meeting with the pope came at a critical time in negotiations to introduce him to the United States a new version his peace plan to stop the war in Ukraine, which will soon be 4 years old.
First the American President, Donald Trumppresented a 28-point peace plan, is widely seen in Europe as favorable to Russiathe aggressor state that started the war on February 24, 2022 by invading Ukraine. This plan was developed through a dialogue between the United States and Russia without the participation of Ukraine, the European Union (EU) or the United Kingdom. This plan was changed and reduced to 20 points after intervention by the EU, the UK and, above all, Ukraine.
In fact, the Ukrainian president announced that the updated plan now consists of 20 of the previous 28 points. after some “obviously anti-Ukrainian points” were removed. And he reiterated his position that Ukraine cannot give up any part of its territory.
A British government source had said Monday’s meeting would focus on exploiting the value of Russian assets frozen in the West. Leader of Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden They hope to quickly move forward on a stalled proposal to use these assets to provide funds to Ukraine.
Starmer, Macron, Merz and Zelensky also want to receive United States security guarantees to deter new attacks from Russia.
The truth is that there was a lot of skepticism, especially after the release of the new European security strategy of the USA – which criticizes Europe, but not the aggressor Russia – and after learning of a Politico interview with Trump, in which the President once again called on Zelensky – whom he had humiliated at the beginning of his term in office – to recognize the situation on the ground and, moreover, to denigrate the European heads of state and government.
When asked about the possibility of Zelensky rejecting the peace agreement, Trump replied that Ukrainian President “You have to go ahead and start accepting things.” because he “loses” the conflict. “They lost territory long before I got there. They lost a whole strip of coastline, a big strip of coastline,” Trump clarified. “I’ve been here 10 months, but if we look back 10 months, they lost the entire strip. Now it’s a bigger, wider strip. But they lost a lot of territory, and good territory too.” Of course you can’t call it a victory” said.
In the same interview, Trump called European leaders “weak (…) I think they want to be politically correct.” “I think they don’t know what to do. Europe doesn’t know what to do.”he added.
When asked which country is currently in a stronger negotiating position, the President replied: “There is no doubt about that. It’s Russia. It’s a much bigger country. “It is a war that should never have happened.”
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