During our conversation, special attention was paid to the path to a just and lasting peace and the efforts of Ukraine, the United States and Europe to establish a complete, unconditional ceasefire, — President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy following the meeting with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

“We expect that the Holy See will continue to help unite international efforts to achieve peace, the return of Ukrainian children deported by Russia and the release of prisoners. Thank you for supporting Ukraine’s right to self-defense and the principle that peace conditions cannot be imposed on a victim country.”