2023-05-14 12:55:27
14.05.2023
Pope Francis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have clearly different visions of how to achieve peace. The former wants to mediate between the parties to the war, while the latter wants to win over Russia.
(Deutsche Welle Chinese website)Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visits Rome on Saturday (May 13), there are differences between Kiev and the Vatican on how to bring peace to the Russo-Ukrainian war. Where there is agreement is only on humanitarian efforts, such as the exchange of prisoners of war, or the return of captive Ukrainian children from Russia.
After a 40-minute meeting between Zelenskiy and Pope Francis, the Vatican announced that the conversation was regarding the humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine amid the war. Both sides agreed that humanitarian efforts are necessary. The pope also stated that a humanitarian gesture must be taken towards the innocent victims of the conflict.
Zelensky then met with Vatican Foreign Minister Paul Gallagher, who later said the two sides had a sincere conversation,mostly regarding warand the urgency of humanitarian action, and the need to work towards peace.
Zelensky later stated in several statements that, in his view, the Vatican’s mediation role, which the Pope mentioned many times, is not meaningful. “It was an honor for me to meet with the Holy See. But he knows where I stand. The war is in Ukraine and the peace plan must also be Ukrainian,” he told Italian television on Saturday night. “It is important to win the Vatican’s support for our peace plan. , we are deeply interested.”
ZelenskyAlso said: “I respect the Holy See very much, but we don’t need a mediator. What we need is a just peace. We invite the Pope and other leaders to work for a real peace. But before that, we need to resolve all Other things.” Regarding the possibility of a negotiated peace, Zelensky said: “You cannot negotiate with Putin, no country in the world can do that.”
In a video message to the Ukrainian people, Zelenskiy later said: “I am convinced that the will of the Holy See and his integrity will help to achieve our peace proposal, which is a just and sincere peace.” On Twitter, the Ukrainian president criticized the Vatican’s neutrality towards all sides in the war so far. He said that during his meeting with Francis, he asked the pope to condemn Russia’s crimes in Ukraine. “Because the victim cannot be confused with the aggressor,” he said.
The pope has so far avoided calling Russian President Vladimir Putin a culpable party in the war, referring in some speeches to victims in Ukraine as well as Russians suffering from the war.
(Catholic News Agency)
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