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A top US official has indicated that the Vatican could serve as a potential place to broker peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
Some shit you should know before you read: Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Ukraine and Russia held a round of peace talks in Turkey on May 16, aimed at securing a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in the ongoing war. The meeting, encouraged by US diplomacy and hosted by Turkey, ended after less than two hours with no tangible progress. According to reports, Ukraine proposed an immediate ceasefire, a prisoner exchange, and a direct meeting between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Vladimir Putin. Russia countered with major demands, which included calling for Ukraine to declare neutrality, abandon reparations claims, and officially accept Russia’s control over Crimea and other contested areas.
What’s going on now: What’s going on now: While preparing to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Vatican could serve as a neutral meeting place for the two sides, though he stopped short of calling it a mediator. “I wouldn’t call it a broker,” Rubio stated, “but it’s certainly — I think it’s a place that both sides would be comfortable going.” He added that “Obviously there are a number of countries that have offered that as well,” Rubio said, “but we think it would be — we’ll talk about that… and obviously always grateful for the willingness of the Vatican to play this constructive and positive role.”
Rubio also said he was thankful for the Vatican’s “longstanding efforts not simply on trying to broker peace but on the exchanges of prisoners; there are children that have currently been taken from their homes that the Ukrainians would like to see returned.”
Rubio’s remarks came in the wake of renewed diplomatic efforts from the Vatican under Pope Leo, who has pledged to “make every effort so that this peace may prevail.” Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin has said they are committed to host a direct meeting between Ukraine and Russia, saying, “We have always said, repeated to the two sides that we are available to you, with all the discretion needed.”
Parolin also expressed frustration that the talks between both sides in Turkey failed to bring anything meaningful. He said, “We hoped that a process could be started, perhaps slowly, but with a peaceful solution to the conflict, and instead we are back to the beginning.”
