Ukraine-Russia, Vatican possible venue for negotiations: talks between Pope Leo XIV and Meloni

Close contacts between the Italian premier, the Pontiff and world leaders to assess the Holy See’s readiness to host the next round of peace talks

The Vatican could become the site of the next negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. This is what emerged from the telephone conversation between Pope Leo XIV and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni today, Tuesday, May 20. The premier also heard during the day from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders, including Macron, Stubb, Starmer, Merz, and von der Leyen.

Palazzo Chigi confirms Holy See’s readiness
“Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had a telephone conversation today with the Holy Father on the next steps to be taken to build a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” reads an official note from Palazzo Chigi. The phone call is part of an intense diplomatic network that began yesterday, including contacts with U.S. President Donald Trump, who asked Italy to verify the Holy See’s readiness as a venue for the talks.

Trump: “The Vatican is the ideal place.”
According to reports from the Italian government, Pope Leo XIV confirmed his readiness to receive delegations from the parties to the conflict. “The Prime Minister expressed deep gratitude for the Holy Father’s openness and for his unceasing commitment to peace,” the note continued. Even Donald Trump, speaking publicly today after talks with Vladimir Putin on Monday, welcomed the possibility: “If the Pope has proposed the Vatican for talks, I can’t think of a better place.”

Toward a new round of ceasefire talks
Meloni agreed with international partners to maintain close coordination ahead of the possible new round of negotiations aimed at a ceasefire and peace agreement. Diplomacies are working to establish modalities and timelines. The possible choice of the Vatican would be a strong symbolic and political signal for a dialogue under the auspices of neutrality and spirituality.

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