Putin told Pope Leo he backs Vatican idea to help civilians in Oleshky, Kremlin says
Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pope Leo during a phone call that he supports a Vatican initiative to deliver supplies to civilians in the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine. Putin stated he is ready to cooperate on the matter. The pontiff spoke with the Russian leader from a hospital, where he was recovering from surgery. Pope Leo also discussed humanitarian aid and evacuations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging cooperation between Ukraine and Russia.
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- ✓ Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pope Leo in a phone call that he supported a Vatican initiative to help deliver supplies to civilians in the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine.
- ✓ Pope Leo spoke to Putin from the hospital while voicing concern over Ukraine.
- ✓ Pope Leo spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to express hope that Ukraine and Russia will cooperate on humanitarian aid and evacuations for civilians in Oleshky.
What changed
The Kremlin confirmed that Vladimir Putin agreed to support the Vatican's proposal for civilian relief in Oleshky during a phone conversation with Pope Leo.
Live updates
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Putin Backs Vatican Plan to Help Oleshky Civilians
Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pope Leo during a phone call that he supports a Vatican initiative to deliver supplies to civilians in the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine. Putin stated he is ready to cooperate on the matter. The pontiff spoke with the Russian leader from a hospital, where he was recovering from surgery. Pope Leo also discussed humanitarian aid and evacuations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging cooperation between Ukraine and Russia.
Why it matters
The diplomatic outreach from the pontiff comes while he remains hospitalized following medical procedures, including lung and cancer surgeries. Oleshky is a southern Ukrainian city under siege and Russian control, making humanitarian access a critical issue. The Vatican has actively sought to foster humanitarian cooperation between Moscow and Kyiv to protect civilians caught in the conflict.
What is confirmed
- Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pope Leo in a phone call that he supported a Vatican initiative to help deliver supplies to civilians in the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine.
- Pope Leo spoke to Putin from the hospital while voicing concern over Ukraine.
- Pope Leo spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to express hope that Ukraine and Russia will cooperate on humanitarian aid and evacuations for civilians in Oleshky.
What to watch next
- Implementation details and logistics for the Vatican-backed humanitarian supply delivery to Oleshky
- Further updates on Pope Leo's recovery and return to leading Sunday prayers
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (12)
- CNN — Pope Leo to lead Sunday prayers as he recovers from lung surgery, Vatican says
- AP News — First images released of Pope Leo celebrating Mass at hospital after cancer surgery
- Vatican News — Pope urges humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky in call with Russian President
- The New York Times — Pope Asks Putin for a Cease-Fire for a Ukrainian City Under Siege
- The Washington Post — Pope speaks to Putin from hospital, voices concern over Ukraine
- Reuters — Putin told Pope Leo he backs Vatican idea to help civilians in Oleshky, Kremlin says
- catholiccourier.com — Pope Leo urges Ukraine-Russian humanitarian cooperation
- www.straitstimes.com — Kremlin says Putin told Pope Leo he backs Vatican idea to ...
- uk.news.yahoo.com — Kremlin says Putin told Pope Leo he backs Vatican idea to ...
- www.devdiscourse.com — Kremlin says Putin told Pope Leo he backs Vatican idea to ...
- ground.news — Putin told Pope Leo he backs Vatican idea to help civilians ...
- catholicreview.org — Pope Leo urges Ukraine-Russia humanitarian cooperation as Russian strike kills children at playground
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