**Vatican’s Role in Ukraine Peace Talks Questioned by Russia**
The Vatican, a hub of Catholicism and a city-state surrounded by Italy, has been suggested as a potential venue for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. However, senior Russian sources have cast doubt on the idea, citing several reasons why they do not consider it a serious option.
According to three senior Russian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, the Vatican is not seen as an effective force in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. One source noted that both countries are predominantly Eastern Orthodox nations, while the Vatican is surrounded by Italy, a NATO and EU member that has supported Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Russia.
This makes it difficult for Russian officials to travel to the Vatican, with direct flights from Moscow being canceled since the start of the war in 2022. Additionally, European Union sanctions on Russian officials make it challenging for them to even visit the Vatican.
The Kremlin and the Vatican have so far remained silent on the matter. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni had earlier said that Pope Leo XIV was willing to host talks during a phone call with her, but this has not been confirmed by the Vatican.
**Russia’s Skepticism**
Russian officials seem skeptical about the idea of hosting peace talks at the Vatican, with some questioning its legitimacy as a venue for such high-stakes negotiations. One senior Russian source quipped that the only alternative would be the Hague, where the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges.
Putin’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, described the Vatican idea as “a bit inelegant” given the Eastern Orthodox background of both Russia and Ukraine. The Russian Orthodox Church is the largest church in the Eastern Orthodox communion, which split from Western Christianity in 1054.
**Alternative Venues**
Russian sources have suggested alternative venues for peace talks, including Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman. These countries have been praised by Putin for their attempts to mediate an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine.
In summary, while some had floated the idea of the Vatican as a potential venue for peace talks, it seems that Russia does not see it as a serious option due to its Catholic heritage and close ties with Italy.
