In a recent development, Pope Francis welcomed Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vatican, marking another significant stride in Zelenskyy's European tour aimed at rallying support for his proposed "victory plan" to halt the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The Pope and the Ukrainian leader engaged in a private conversation that lasted for 35 minutes. Following their meeting, Francis presented Zelenskyy with a bronze plaque bearing the inscription: Peace is a fragile flower.
As reported by ABC News, Zelenskyy reciprocated the Pope's gesture by gifting him an oil painting titled The massacre of Bucha. The story of Marichka. The painting depicts the grim reality of Bucha, a suburb northwest of Kyiv, which was seized by Russian forces during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The area witnessed some of the most horrific atrocities committed by Russia against civilians.
Later in the day, Zelenskyy met with the Vatican's Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. The Vatican issued a statement noting that the discussions revolved around the current state of the war, the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, and potential strategies to bring about a just and lasting peace in the country. The statement also mentioned that some matters relating to the religious life of the country were also examined.
Since the initial Russian assault on Kyiv, there have been numerous interactions between Francis and Zelenskyy, including visits, letters, and phone calls. However, the Pope's suggestion in March that Ukrainian leaders should have the courage of the white flag to negotiate an end to the war with Russia sparked criticism from some quarters in Ukraine. Many interpreted this as a call for surrender. Despite this, Francis has consistently and vehemently called for an end to the war, emphasizing prisoner exchanges and a diplomatic resolution to the Ukrainian conflict.
In an effort to alleviate the tensions, Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi was dispatched as a special envoy to engage with political and ecclesiastical leaders worldwide. His mission primarily involved encouraging the exchange of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners and finding ways to facilitate the return of children forcibly deported from Ukraine to Russia.
Zelenskyy is currently touring Europe to advocate for his plan, which he claims aims to create the right conditions for a just end to the war against Russia. He revealed his proposals to European allies after a scheduled summit with President Joe Biden was postponed due to Hurricane Milton. The Ukrainian leader has met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. He is also expected to hold talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
While Zelenskyy has not publicly detailed his "victory" proposals, his efforts to secure European support seem to be timed with the upcoming U.S. election in mind. Former President Donald Trump has been a vocal critic of U.S. aid to Kyiv. Amidst these developments, Ukraine's overstretched and undermanned army is facing intense pressure in the country's eastern Donetsk region.
According to local administration chief Vasyl Chynchyk, Russian forces have recently taken control of about half of the nearby town of Toretsk. To halt further losses, Zelenskyy is seeking to secure additional assistance.
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