Russia Rejects Vatican Peace Talks Offer

Russia Rejects Vatican as Venue for Ukraine Peace Talks MOSCOW, May 25, 2025 – Russia has dashed hopes for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine to be held at the Vatican. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed the idea, stating that it would be "inelegant" for two Orthodox Christian nations to negotiate on a Catholic platform. This decision comes after an offer from Pope Leo XIV to host the talks, an offer that had received support from several of Ukraine’s allies, including the United States. "It would be inappropriate," Lavrov stated in a speech at the Diplomatic Academy in Moscow, "for Orthodox nations to use a Catholic platform for such sensitive discussions." He further added that the Vatican hosting such a meeting would be "uncomfortable." This rejection follows a failed meeting on May 16th in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian delegations, where Russia's demand for Ukraine's withdrawal from four annexed regions proved to be a major sticking point in the negotiations. Lavrov's comments highlight the ongoing complexities of the conflict and the challenges in finding a truly neutral ground for negotiations. The search for a suitable location continues, with the future of peace talks remaining uncertain.