Vatican on U.S. 'peace plan' for Ukraine: Europe must participate

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin spoke to journalists in Rome after a Holy Mass for Ukraine, as reported by Vatican News.

He stated, “It will be very difficult to find a compromise between the needs on one side and the demands on the other. So I imagine that the path to negotiation will be an uphill battle.”

Parolin emphasized that “Europe should participate and make its voice heard, not remain excluded,” highlighting Europe’s active involvement in supporting Ukraine.

Regarding the potential transfer of territories, he remarked that “it is premature” to discuss this, as it will be a result of negotiations.

“Peace will only be achieved if both sides are somewhat satisfied with the compromise, because in the end, a compromise will have to be made,” he added.

The Cardinal also noted that the Holy See continues to work on the exchange of prisoners and the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia. “We continue to work in this area, and it seems to me that the mechanism regarding the children has now been renewed. We are available to help in this area because we believe that, beyond caring for those who are suffering, it also creates conditions that will lead to peace,” Cardinal Parolin stated.

According to Axios, the U.S. “peace plan” comprises 28 points, divided into four main categories: peace in Ukraine, security guarantees, security in Europe, and future U.S. relations with Russia and Ukraine.

The U.S. proposals for resolving the Russian-Ukrainian war include providing Ukraine with security guarantees similar to those that exist within NATO, from the United States and its European allies.

EU Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, emphasized that to end the war, the “peace plan” must also receive the consent of Ukraine and the European Union.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has officially received a draft plan from the U.S. side.