**Russia Rejects Vatican as Venue for Peace Talks with Ukraine**
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has cast doubt on the Vatican being a suitable location for future peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. In a speech at Moscow’s Diplomatic Academy, Lavrov suggested that using the Catholic seat of power would be “a bit inelegant” for Orthodox countries to discuss issues related to the war.
Lavrov’s comments come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on May 18. The two leaders discussed the return of children forcibly deported by Russia and other humanitarian issues. Zelensky also presented the Pope with an icon painted on artillery debris from the front lines, symbolizing the impact of the war on Ukrainian children.
The Vatican had been suggested as a neutral platform for further negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, with several countries including the United States supporting the idea. However, Lavrov’s comments suggest that Russia is not interested in using the Catholic seat as a venue for talks.
**Background: Failing Peace Talks**
Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Istanbul on May 16 for peace talks, but failed to reach a ceasefire agreement. During the meeting, Moscow demanded Kyiv withdraw from four Ukrainian regions it claims to have annexed, despite lacking full control over them. The Ukrainian delegation reportedly felt that the Russian side lacked real authority and was unprepared to negotiate substantive terms.
One outcome of the talks was a large-scale prisoner exchange, with 1,000 prisoners returning on each side beginning May 23. However, Ukraine had also proposed an immediate ceasefire and a potential face-to-face meeting between President Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin – an offer Moscow declined.
**Commentary: Russia’s Objection to Vatican as Venue**
It is interesting that Lavrov would object to the Vatican being used as a venue for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. The Catholic seat has been suggested as a neutral platform, but Russia’s objection suggests that there may be more at play here than just a desire for neutrality.
As an expert in international relations, I believe that Russia’s rejection of the Vatican as a venue is likely due to its own Orthodox Christian identity. Russia has long sought to promote its own brand of Orthodoxy and may see the Catholic Church as a rival or even an adversary.
By rejecting the Vatican as a venue for peace talks, Russia may be signaling that it prefers to maintain control over the narrative and agenda of any potential negotiations with Ukraine. This could make it more difficult to achieve a lasting ceasefire or resolution to the conflict.
**Conclusion: Implications of Lavrov’s Comments**
Lavrov’s comments on the Vatican being an unsuitable venue for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine may have significant implications for the future of the conflict. If Russia is unwilling to consider using a neutral platform, it may be difficult to achieve a lasting resolution to the war.
The prisoner exchange that took place as part of the Istanbul talks is a positive development, but it is clear that more work needs to be done to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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