Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Pope Leo XIV near Rome on Tuesday to discuss ongoing efforts to achieve a lasting peace in Ukraine, reports Baltimore Chronicle. The meeting took place at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, outside the Italian capital, amid a series of discussions Zelenskyy is holding with European leaders regarding the latest version of a U.S.-proposed peace plan to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
According to the Vatican Press Office, the talks focused on the conflict in Ukraine, with the pope emphasizing the need to continue dialogue and expressing his urgent wish that current diplomatic initiatives bring about a just and lasting peace. The discussions also covered the situation of prisoners of war and measures to ensure the safe return of Ukrainian children to their families.
After the meeting, Zelenskyy and Pope Leo XIV greeted journalists and photographers from the balcony of the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo. Later on Tuesday, Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This follows talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in London on Monday.
Zelenskyy is consulting with European leaders to refine the approach to the latest iteration of the U.S.-proposed peace plan. He said that key issues, including territorial control and future Western security guarantees for Ukraine, remain unresolved. During a press briefing on Monday, he explained that the original 28-point plan presented by U.S. negotiators has been condensed to 20 points.
“The Americans believe compromises are necessary. Questions regarding territory remain difficult, and no compromise has been reached so far,” Zelenskyy stated to reporters aboard a plane after the London meetings. He added that the “strongest security guarantee” Ukraine could obtain would come from the United States, noting that American responses have been positive so far.
Zelenskyy also said that the “Coalition of the Willing,” a group of mostly European leaders, will offer security guarantees. However, he has not yet received confirmation on what steps they would take in the event of renewed aggression from Russia.
Earlier we wrote that Zelensky and Macron Sign Defense Deal Involving Jets and Air-Defense Systems for Ukraine.
