Ukraine war: can the new pope secure peace?
After his phone call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump suggested the Vatican as a venue for peace talks on the Ukraine war. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has stated that the new Pope Leo XIV is willing to mediate negotiations. The European press examines how realistic such a scenario is.
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.”