"Finally, the state of Ukraine understands the role of the Apostolic capital in international diplomacy," - Head of the UGCC on Zelensky's initiative to meet with Putin at the Vatican

As reported, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky believes that the Vatican could be the best place for him to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This opinion was expressed by the head of state in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

"This statement is a big surprise for me personally. During our meeting with the President, it was not discussed! I learned about this statement from open sources. It is difficult for me to comment. We need an explanation from official representatives of the Presidential Office, who will be able to explain this," said the head of the UGCC, Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

I see two ambiguities here. Is it just about finding some kind of playground, looking for a free table to sit on, and wanting to find it in the Vatican? So there should be another city instead of Minsk? Whether we are talking about finding a moral authority or an intermediary who could offer a new way to resolve this painful situation. So I don't understand, and I can't comment!" said His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

"The only thing I want to emphasize is that the state of Ukraine finally understands the role and place of the Apostolic capital in modern interstate dialogue, its place in international diplomacy. The Vatican is not only a church entity. It is a subject of international law, it is a high platform for world diplomacy. Perhaps Ukraine will finally realize that we should be present on this platform. I hope that relations between Ukraine and the Vatican will develop in line with the awareness of the role of the Pope as a moral authority, and the role of the Apostolic capital as a modern interstate platform, as the nerve of world diplomacy, where the Ukrainian issue should be adequately represented," Patriarch Sviatoslav said.