Ukraine war: can the new pope secure peace?
After his phone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump proposed the Vatican as a venue for peace talks on the Ukraine war. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has indicated that she would support Pope Leo XIV in the negotiations. According to the Wall Street Journal, these could begin in mid-June.
A globally active state with credibility
The Vatican is a truly neutral mediator, writes the Tages-Anzeiger:
“The Church must not allow itself to play too active a role if it doesn't want to overreach. But it can provide more than just a venue and drinks. It can contribute all the experience of the world's only globally active state. The Vatican can also take advantage of the fact that it is perhaps the only conceivable mediator that has no military, political or economic interests of its own in the Ukraine war - nor does it want to make any 'deals': that gives it great credibility.”
Beacon of hope with moral authority
Radio Kommersant FM agrees with Friedrich Merz, who has described the Vatican as a good venue for negotiations:
“As the German chancellor said, the Holy See is the 'highest earthly instance', where the parties 'can be brought together for constructive dialogue'. ... The German chancellor said what is clear to everyone: the process of reaching an agreement could drag on for many months and there should be no illusions about a quick solution. ... However, we can pin our hopes on the Holy See. The new Pope Leo XIV is making no secret of his intention to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Although he lacks a clear plan for how to achieve this, he does have authority.”
Vatican no newcomer in the field
Népszava looks back at the Vatican's history of diplomacy:
“If the Russian president really does agree to hold peace talks at the seat of the Catholic Church, that would be a genuine sensation. The Vatican has carried out a long series of peace initiatives around the world, especially since the pontificate of Benedict XV, the 'pope of the First World War'. One of its diplomatic masterpieces was the mediation of John XXIII during the Cuban missile crisis. However a 'Vatican peace' would be the pinnacle of the Holy See's efforts.”
Focus on multilateralism and diplomacy
La Libre Belgique sees good reasons for the Vatican to play a stronger role in mediating peace:
“Firstly, in the name of multilateralism, which has been undermined in recent years and which Leo XIV aims to revive. Secondly, in the name of diplomacy itself, which has been spurned by Vladimir Putin and caricatured by Donald Trump, who prefers to play economic power games. And finally, in the name of an understanding of peace which, as Leo XIV emphasised, is neither 'the mere absence of war', nor 'the deathly silence after a conflict', nor 'the result of oppression'.”
Conditions for an end to the war not met
Writing in Jutarnji list, foreign affairs columnist Željko Trkanjec sees little chance for peace:
“At this juncture I see two possible outcomes that could lead to an end to Russian aggression. The first would be Kyiv's impending military defeat, which would force it to accept most of Russia's terms. The second would be for Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to jointly – or just one of them, provided they had the backing of the other - exert pressure on Putin. But this isn't likely to happen, so we face a continuation of the war in Eastern Europe. Perhaps until one side is completely exhausted.”