VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV urged Ukraine and Russia to cooperate on aid for Oleshky during a phone call Monday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Vatican said.
Food and medical supplies should reach the city in Ukraine’s Kherson region, and civilians should be able to leave voluntarily and safely, according to the Holy See Press Office’s account.
Leo also raised his earlier request to Russian President Vladimir Putin for a humanitarian ceasefire. Monday’s statement did not announce an agreement, an aid delivery date or arrangements for evacuations.
The appeal follows Leo’s call to Putin on Friday, Oct. 16. The Vatican’s account of that conversation said the pope sought a halt in fighting so supplies could enter Oleshky and residents could leave.
Russian forces have occupied the city since February 2022. Residents have reported worsening food shortages, Reuters reported Monday.
According to Reuters, the Kremlin said after Friday’s call that Putin had agreed to work with the pope on organizing supplies. Its account did not mention a ceasefire.
Zelenskyy had not immediately issued his own account of Monday’s conversation, Reuters reported. The Vatican statement offered no details of his response to the pope’s appeal.
Also Read: Putin Backs Vatican Aid Plan for Oleshky After Leo Call
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