New Pope’s three key steps could boost Vatican role in Ukraine peace talks

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"The start of the new Pontiff is very promising. The expectations Ukrainians have held for years are finally being met. The Vatican has officially said it is ready to serve as a platform for peace talks. The Vatican is open to dialogue. We’ve seen three clear steps the Pope has taken since the white smoke appeared over the Sistine Chapel. The first call he made was to the President of Ukraine. The second was holding an audience with Eastern Catholics," the Doctor of Theology said.

According to him, the largest Eastern Catholic Church in communion with Rome is the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC). Notably, the hall where the Pope met with Eastern Catholics was decorated in blue and yellow.

"The third step the Pope took yesterday, May 18, was receiving the first official delegation from Ukraine. We’ve seen three signals from the Vatican that give hope peace talks might begin. The Pope said the Vatican is ready to offer itself as a platform for negotiations," Dziubanskyi added.

• Reports say that Pope Leo XIV wants to propose the Vatican as a venue for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
• On May 18, Pope Leo XIV met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska.