**Vatican Offers to Host Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks After Istanbul Meeting Fails**
The Vatican has offered to host future peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, according to the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. This move comes after a recent meeting in Türkiye ended without an agreement on key issues.
Cardinal Parolin described the outcome of the Istanbul meeting as “tragic,” stating that hopes for a peaceful resolution were dashed. The two-hour session did produce an agreement for a prisoner exchange involving 1,000 prisoners from each side, but no specific date was announced for the swap.
**Key Issues Remain Unresolved**
Despite the prisoner exchange deal, key issues remained unresolved during the Istanbul meeting. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that Russia insisted on Ukrainian withdrawal from four territories – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia – which Moscow has claimed since 2022. These demands were seen as “detached from reality” by a source speaking to Reuters.
**Russian Demands Spark Concern**
A Kyiv official told The Telegraph that the Kremlin considered Ukrainian withdrawal from these territories a “minimum requirement” for any ceasefire. Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky reportedly threatened Ukraine, saying: “We fought Sweden for 21 years. How long are you ready to fight?” This statement sparked concern among Ukrainian officials.
**Threats and Demands**
During the talks, Medinsky also stated that Russia was prepared to continue fighting “for a year, two, three—however long it takes.” He further indicated that Russian representatives threatened to expand their territorial claims to include Kharkiv and Sumy if their current demands were not met.
**A New Venue for Peace Talks**
In light of the failed Istanbul meeting, the Vatican has stepped in to offer its support. Cardinal Parolin’s statement highlights the Vatican’s willingness to host future peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. This move may provide a new opportunity for dialogue and negotiation, but it remains to be seen whether it will lead to a lasting resolution.
**The Road Ahead**
As tensions remain high, both sides must work towards finding common ground. The Vatican’s offer is a positive step, but the road ahead will require patience, understanding, and a willingness to compromise. Ultimately, only through direct talks can the parties involved hope to find a peaceful solution to this ongoing conflict.
Read More @ euromaidanpress.com
