Pope Francis met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Vatican on Friday as part of Zelenskyy's European tour to garner support for his proposed 'victory plan' aimed at ending the war with Russia. The private talks between the pope and the Ukrainian leader lasted for 35 minutes at the Sala della Biblioteca. During the meeting, Pope Francis presented Zelenskyy with a bronze plaque symbolizing peace.
In return, Zelenskyy gifted the pontiff with an oil painting depicting the tragic events in Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv that witnessed severe atrocities by Russian troops. Following the meeting with Pope Francis, Zelenskyy also engaged in discussions with Vatican officials regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis it has caused.
Since the initial Russian invasion of Kyiv, there have been several interactions between Pope Francis and President Zelenskyy, emphasizing the need for peace and diplomatic solutions to the conflict. The Vatican has been actively involved in efforts to facilitate prisoner exchanges and the return of displaced children.
Zelenskyy's diplomatic efforts extended to other European capitals, including meetings with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni. He is scheduled to hold talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz later on Friday.
The Ukrainian president's 'victory plan' aims to create conditions for a just resolution to the war against Russia, with a focus on securing additional support from European allies. Zelenskyy's initiatives come amidst concerns about the upcoming U.S. election and potential shifts in American foreign policy towards Ukraine.
As the conflict intensifies in eastern Ukraine, Zelenskyy faces the challenge of bolstering his country's military capabilities to counter Russian advances. Recent reports indicate Russian forces gaining control of strategic areas in the Donetsk region, underscoring the urgency for increased assistance to Ukraine.
