Vladimir Putin thanked the pope for supporting peace efforts but accused Ukraine of fueling war, calling Kyiv's actions “terrorism,” according to the Kremlin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his gratitude to Pope Leo for offering help in resolving the Ukraine conflict, while accusing Kyiv of deliberately escalating the war, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.
According to a Kremlin statement, the two spoke by phone, although no date was provided. The Vatican’s involvement appears to focus on humanitarian concerns, but the Kremlin also linked it to potential peace negotiations — something Donald Trump recently said the pope had offered to host in the Vatican.
“Gratitude was expressed to the Pontiff for his readiness to help settle the crisis,” the Kremlin said, adding praise for the Vatican’s willingness to engage on humanitarian issues “on a depoliticised basis.”
Putin used the conversation to lash out at Ukraine’s conduct during the war, claiming Kyiv is focused on escalating the conflict and accused it of launching “sabotage” attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure, which he labeled as “terrorism.”
The Kremlin emphasized the need to address the “root causes” of the conflict — Kremlin shorthand for its long-standing demands:
That Ukraine adopt a neutral status, and that NATO halt any eastward expansion.
Russia has long worked to maintain cordial ties with the Vatican, especially under Pope Francis, focusing mostly on humanitarian efforts, like the reunification of families divided by war.
Despite this, top Russian officials — including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov — have repeatedly downplayed the idea of the Vatican as a serious venue for peace talks, citing the predominantly Orthodox Christian identity of both Russia and Ukraine.
The Kremlin’s statement also referenced recent talks with Ukrainian negotiators over prisoner exchanges and the return of servicemen’s remains — framing it as a modest diplomatic breakthrough.
It also called on the Vatican to “take a more active role” in defending freedom of religion in Ukraine, referencing the Ukrainian Orthodox Church with historic ties to Russia.
Ukrainian authorities have launched criminal investigations against some clergy suspected of pro-Russian sympathies since the full-scale invasion began. Meanwhile, a Kyiv-based Ukrainian Orthodox Church — independent of Moscow — has rapidly gained ground inside Ukraine.
U.S. forces say they have completed strikes on Iranian military sites near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with missile attacks on an American b...
Türkiye and Syria plan to increase annual bilateral trade to $5 billion within the next two years, officials from both countries said on Tuesday, as ...
As global diplomatic dynamics continue to evolve, the European Union is reassessing its ability to respond effectively to major international developm...
Uzbekistan plans to create a National Geological Data Bank and expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) across the mining sector as part of effo...
Azerbaijan is considering new restrictions on children's use of social media, including a minimum registration age of 16 and fines for platforms that ...
U.S. forces say they have completed strikes on Iranian military sites near the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded with missile attacks on an American base in Jordan, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two sides.
Türkiye and Syria plan to increase annual bilateral trade to $5 billion within the next two years, officials from both countries said on Tuesday, as they seek to deepen economic ties and support Syria's recovery.
As global diplomatic dynamics continue to evolve, the European Union is reassessing its ability to respond effectively to major international developments, prompting renewed debate over defence coordination, foreign policy decision-making and institutional reform.
Uzbekistan plans to create a National Geological Data Bank and expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) across the mining sector as part of efforts to attract $30 billion in investment by 2030.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry says 19 citizens have been repatriated following a deadly drone attack on two cargo ships in the Sea of Azov on 5 June.
A Sudanese man has been arrested over a knife attack in Belfast that left a man seriously injured and prompted calls online for a protest after footage of the incident circulated widely on social media.
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported that Trump had privately told Benjamin Netanyahu “be careful, or you will be on your own very soon”.
Ukraine's military said it struck a Russian "shadow fleet" tanker in the Black Sea as part of ongoing efforts to disrupt Moscow's energy and logistics networks. The move underscores Kyiv's focus on targeting maritime assets it says are used to bypass sanctions on Russian oil exports.
Armenia’s parliamentary election has strengthened Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s mandate, with analysts linking the result to his post-Garabagh agenda and pro-Western direction. However, constitutional constraints remain a key obstacle to peace efforts with Azerbaijan.
As global diplomatic dynamics continue to evolve, the European Union is reassessing its ability to respond effectively to major international developments, prompting renewed debate over defence coordination, foreign policy decision-making and institutional reform.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to be one of a kind when it kicks off on 11 June, as it brings with it a slew of firsts ahead of co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has warned that Israel’s military operations in Syria and Lebanon have escalated to a point where they could threaten Türkiye, describing Israel’s actions as “aggression” that poses a broader global risk.
More than 1,300 migrants died or went missing while attempting to reach Spain between January and May 2026, according to Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras, highlighting the continuing dangers of one of the world's deadliest migration corridors.
Rescuers searched the rubble of a collapsed building in the southern Philippine city of General Santos on Tuesday after a powerful earthquake killed at least 37 people and injured hundreds across the country.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment