Italy has expressed willingness to support U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for the Vatican to mediate ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office stated that Italy is prepared to “facilitate contacts and work towards peace,” viewing Pope Leo’s openness to hosting talks at the Vatican positively.
While Ukraine appears receptive to the idea, with President Volodymyr Zelensky discussing potential platforms for talks with Meloni, Russia has introduced additional demands. Moscow insists on recognizing its annexation of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions and Crimea as part of any agreement. This “Istanbul Plus” approach, named after a previous meeting in Turkey, represents a significant shift from earlier discussions.
Despite these challenges, the Vatican remains committed to its role as a neutral party, with Pope Leo reaffirming the Holy See’s readiness to bring adversaries together. However, the Holy See emphasizes that any mediation efforts are still in the preliminary stages, with no concrete plans yet in place.
The evolving diplomatic landscape underscores the complexities of achieving a ceasefire, as international actors navigate competing interests and conditions.
