Pope offered Zelensky to hold negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation in the Vatican

Zelensky's Negotiations with the Pope

According to hvylya.net: President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with Pope Leo XIV at the pontiff's summer residence near Rome on July 9, 2025. During the audience, the Pope proposed to organize negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation in the Vatican.

“This morning the Holy Father received His Excellency Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, and his entourage,” the Vatican reported.

“I am very grateful to the Holy Father for this meeting, for receiving us, and of course, for his help-both spiritual and practical-in the matter of returning our children abducted by Russia. We strive for peace and very much hope that the Vatican can help create a space for dialogue that will lead to the end of this war,” the Ukrainian president stated after the meeting.

The Return of Children and the Vatican's Role in Conflict Resolution

During the negotiations, two main aspects were discussed: the return of Ukrainian children who were illegally deported to Russia, and the inclusion of the Vatican in the process of peaceful resolution of the conflict. The pontiff confirmed the readiness to accept delegations from both countries to hold negotiations in the Vatican.

Earlier, Russia rejected such a proposal due to the 'inelegance' of holding negotiations in the Vatican, as claimed by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Visit to Italy and Upcoming Events for Zelensky

The meeting with the Pope took place during Zelensky's official visit to Italy, where negotiations with President Sergio Mattarella are also planned. Afterwards, participation in the fourth International Conference on the Reconstruction of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president and the Pope discussed important issues regarding the return of Ukrainian children who were abducted by Russia, as well as the possibility of the Vatican's involvement in the process of peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine. Dialogue between the parties opened up new opportunities for peaceful resolution of the situation and cooperation between states.