Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, held a telephone conversation with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, discussing the issue of returning Ukrainian children deported by Russia.
This was reported by Ukrinform with a reference to the President's website.
According to the President's website and Ukrinform, "Andriy Yermak and Pietro Parolin discussed President Volodymyr Zelensky's initiative Bring Kids Back UA, which has garnered support from many countries. It is one of the integral elements of the implementation concept of the Ukrainian peace formula, particularly regarding the return of deported children and the release of civilian hostages and prisoners of war."
Yermak invited representatives of the Holy See to participate in the first meeting of the international coalition of countries for the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia, scheduled for December 8th in Kyiv.
Expressing gratitude to the Vatican, Yermak acknowledged their representative's participation in the meeting of advisors on national security and political advisors in Malta.
He also noted Cardinal Parolin's agreement to lead a solemn service at one of Rome's largest churches, Sant'Andrea della Valle, this Thursday, marking the 90th anniversary of one of Ukraine's greatest tragedies, the Holodomor-genocide of 1932–1933. Yermak emphasized that this signified strong support from the Apostolic See and readiness to continue supporting Ukraine in its sacred struggle for freedom and dignity.
"Ukraine unequivocally perceives this as an important signal to the global community, which, like the Vatican, must recognize this tragedy as a criminal act of Genocide by the totalitarian Soviet-Russian regime," said Yermak.
Recall that Cardinal Pietro Parolin, in his video address to participants of the conference dedicated to President Volodymyr Zelensky's peace plan and achieving peace in Ukraine, expressed support in resolving humanitarian issues and willingness to continue efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Ukrainian people and return prisoners and children to Ukraine.