Overview

• President Zelenskyy said Ukraine relies on the Vatican to provide a venue for high-level peace negotiations.
• The two leaders agreed that dialogue is the preferred means to resolve the conflict.
• Zelenskyy raised the issue of thousands of Ukrainian children reportedly abducted by Russia, pressing for Vatican support in facilitating their return.
• Moscow has expressed skepticism about holding future negotiations at the Vatican despite the renewed invitation.
• The meeting at Castel Gandolfo took place ahead of a Rome conference on Ukraine’s reconstruction later this week.