Peskov commented on the results of the meeting between Ushakov and the envoy of the Pope

Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Yuri Ushakov and the envoy of the Pope, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, exchanged views on humanitarian issues at a meeting on June 28, no specific agreements were reached. This was announced by the press secretary of the President Dmitry Peskov.

“It was about the exchange of views, information on humanitarian issues in the context of Ukrainian affairs. There are no concrete decisions or agreements. If necessary, the dialogue will continue,” he said.

Zuppy arrived to Moscow on the evening of June 27, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow reported. Vatican toldthat the envoy of the Pope will stay in Moscow on June 28 and 29. The purpose of this visit “is to encourage gestures of humanity that can contribute to resolving the current tragic situation and finding ways to achieve a just peace,” the Vatican explained.

Prior to this, Zuppi visited Ukraine. On June 6, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that he had discussed humanitarian cooperation with the envoy as part of the implementation of the Ukrainian “peace formula”. At a meeting with Zuppi, the Ukrainian leader said that a ceasefire and freezing of the conflict would not lead to peace.

Cardinal Zuppi already has experience in mediating armed conflicts. In 1990, he served as an intermediary in negotiations between the government of Mozambique and the rebels. In 1992, hostilities in Mozambique ceased. Zuppi continued to work in conflict zones with the Catholic NGO Community of Sant’Egidio. The organization provided humanitarian assistance and mediation services in several armed conflicts – in Algeria in 1995, in Guatemala in 1996, in Kosovo in 1996-1998, in Congo in 1999 and in Burundi in 1997-2000.