Ushakov will meet with the envoy of the Pope

Aide to the President of the Russian Federation Yuri Ushakov will meet on June 28 with the envoy of the Pope of Rome, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. This was announced by the press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov.

“Today in Moscow there is a special envoy of the Pope, Cardinal [Маттео] Zuppy. And by order [президента РФ] Vladimir Putin Assistant to the President [Юрий] Ushakov will hold talks with him today and discuss the situation around the conflict in Ukraine and, of course, possible ways of political and diplomatic settlement,” he said.

Peskov recalled that Moscow highly appreciates the efforts of the Vatican to find a peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, and also welcomes the desire of Pope Francis “to contribute to ending the armed conflict in Ukraine.”

June 27 Vatican informedthat the Pope’s envoy will visit Moscow on June 28 and 29. “The main goal of the initiative is to encourage gestures of humanity that can help resolve the current tragic situation and find ways to achieve a just peace,” the message said.

Earlier today Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Our Lady of Moscow clarifiedthat the cardinal arrived in the capital of Russia on the evening of June 27. According to the archdiocese, on June 28, Zuppi will also meet with Archbishop Pavel Pezzi, and on June 29, he will take part in a divine service at the Cathedral in Moscow.

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 declaredthat a ceasefire and a freeze on the conflict will not lead to peace.