Podoliak put conditions to the Vatican for the work of his mediation mission
Kyiv will support the initiative "if the Vatican promotes the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine", Podoliak said.
Mykhailo Podoliak, an advisor to the head of Volodymyr Zelensky's Office, has put forward a number of conditions even before the Vatican's mission to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, saying the Pope should agree with Kyiv's view on the withdrawal of Russian troops, reports corriere.it.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera Podoliak said that Kyiv would support the Pope's peace initiative only "if the Vatican promotes the withdrawal of Russian troops from the Ukrainian territory".
Also, Mykhailo Podoliak cited the Vatican's assistance in the return of prisoners of war, civilian prisoners and children to Ukraine as conditions.
"If the Holy See has a different point of view, unfortunately, this will only exacerbate the crisis and provoke further aggressive actions by Russia," Podoliak added.
On 20 May 2023, the Pope commissioned Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, head of the Italian Episcopal Conference, to conduct a mission which would contribute to easing tensions in the conflict in Ukraine.
According to Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Zuppi's mission will, first of all, have to try to "create a climate and environment that can lead to peace". He said it was too early to talk about the dates of Zuppi's possible visit to Moscow and Kyiv.
As earlier reported, the Pope has appointed the head of the peace mission to Ukraine.
