Pope can play a decisive role in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia – Rezazade

After the telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Putin, discussions on the possible involvement of the Vatican in mediation in the war between Ukraine and Russia intensified at the international level.
As noted by the first vice president of the Iranian opposition in Washington, international expert Ali Reza Rezazade, the initiative to hold negotiations under the mediation of Pope Leo XIV is promising, but currently faces a number of serious political and practical obstacles.
“The Vatican has centuries of experience in conflict resolution, and the new Pope demonstrates an active humanitarian position in support of Ukraine. His authority, moral weight and non-political position provide unique opportunities to launch the negotiation process,” Rezazade emphasized.
President Trump supported the idea of a meeting in the Vatican, stating that such a step “could help relieve tension.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Malone confirmed that she had already contacted the Pope at the initiative of the US and received his consent to accept the negotiations.
However, according to Ali Reza Rezazade, the difficulties remain serious. In particular, the Russian side categorically refuses to accept a ceasefire before the negotiations, which effectively makes any meaningful dialogue impossible. “The Kremlin is openly playing for time, continuing hostilities, while simulating readiness for negotiations,” the expert emphasizes.
In addition, according to Rezazade, there are technical and legal difficulties: EU sanctions and a ban on entry for Russian officials make it impossible for them to officially arrive in the territory of Italy, which surrounds the Vatican. This creates risks for the very implementation of such a platform.
"The Pope's involvement is a positive signal for the world, but to prevent this initiative from becoming symbolic, a consolidated position of the West on a ceasefire, diplomatic pressure on the Kremlin, and real protection of Ukrainian interests is needed," Ali Reza Rezazade summarized.
По теме
US President Donald Trump, according to the White House, has postponed the final decision on military strikes on Iran for another two weeks. The move indicates a partial reduction in escalating rhetoric — after previous statements about the “last chance” for Tehran to avoid war.
Президент США Дональд Трамп, по словам Белого дома, откладывает окончательное решение о возможном военном ударе по Ирану еще на две недели. Это ослабило напряжённую риторику, возникшую после его заявления о том, что у Тегерана якобы «закрылось окно возможностей» для сделки.
US President Donald Trump has once again put the world on the brink of a geopolitical turning point. During a press conference on the South Lawn of the White House, he effectively voiced an ultimatum to Iran: either a complete abandonment of the nuclear program, or consequences that "nobody knows about."
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US President Donald Trump faced one of the most difficult decisions of his term on Tuesday — whether to join a military campaign against Iran that threatens to drag Washington into a full-scale Middle East conflict.
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Президент США Дональд Трамп досрочно покинул саммит G7 в Канаде на фоне пятого дня конфликта между Израилем и Ираном. После напряжённых консультаций он всё же подписал итоговое заявление лидеров, но документ был изменён — из него убрали призыв к сдержанности обеих сторон, оставив лишь подтверждение права Израиля на самооборону.
Explosions over Tel Aviv, missiles over central Iran, sirens, military parades and the threat of a major war. The escalation between Israel and Iran is no longer a local incident – it is a global signal.
Взрывы над Тель-Авивом, ракеты над центральным Ираном, сирены, военные парады и угроза большой войны. Обострение между Израилем и Ираном больше не является локальным инцидентом — это глобальный сигнал.
Новости «Новости мира»
US President Donald Trump, according to the White House, has postponed the final decision on military strikes on Iran for another two weeks. The move indicates a partial reduction in escalating rhetoric — after previous statements about the “last chance” for Tehran to avoid war.
Президент США Дональд Трамп, по словам Белого дома, откладывает окончательное решение о возможном военном ударе по Ирану еще на две недели. Это ослабило напряжённую риторику, возникшую после его заявления о том, что у Тегерана якобы «закрылось окно возможностей» для сделки.
US President Donald Trump has once again put the world on the brink of a geopolitical turning point. During a press conference on the South Lawn of the White House, he effectively voiced an ultimatum to Iran: either a complete abandonment of the nuclear program, or consequences that "nobody knows about."
Президент США Дональд Трамп вновь поставил мир на грань геополитического перелома. Во время пресс-конференции на Южной лужайке Белого дома он фактически озвучил ультиматум Ирану: либо полный отказ от ядерной программы, либо последствия, о которых «никто не знает».