Pope Leo XIV speaks to Zelenskyy about occupied Oleshky after call with Putin
Pope Leo XIV held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 19 October, three days after he spoke with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin.
Source: the Holy See Press Office on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda
Details: Pope Leo XIV spoke to Zelenskyy about the situation in the temporarily occupied city of Oleshky in Kherson Oblast.
During the conversation, the pope referred to the request for a "humanitarian ceasefire" that he had raised with Putin.
Quote: "His Holiness expressed the hope that cooperation between both parties will allow for the delivery of food and medical aid, and for the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population. Finally, the Holy Father reaffirmed the commitment of the Holy See to promoting dialogue and peace."
Update at 21:33: Zelenskyy said on social media that he had given the pope a detailed account of Russia's escalating aggression and constant attacks on Ukrainian cities and communities.
"We also discussed the humanitarian catastrophe in temporarily occupied Oleshky. We are working to help our people there. We are preparing decisions. His Holiness informed me about [his] contact with the Russian side on this matter," the Ukrainian president said.
They also discussed "security challenges and threats, including the periodic lack of warnings from our partners about Russian ballistic missile attacks – something that has happened three times recently".
Background:
- Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on the international community and international organisations to increase pressure on Russia to end its siege of Oleshky.
- EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on 28 September that the EU was trying to deliver humanitarian aid to occupied Oleshky.
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