In a significant diplomatic move, Ukraine has formally requested the Vatican to institutionalize its role in mediating the return of Ukrainian children and civilians taken by Russia during the ongoing conflict. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conveyed this appeal in a letter to Pope Leo XIV, ahead of a scheduled meeting between the pontiff and a delegation of repatriated Ukrainians. The letter seeks to formalize the informal mediation efforts initiated by Pope Francis, which involved Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi as a papal envoy for humanitarian matters. Iryna Vereshchuk, deputy head of Zelenskyy’s office, emphasized the necessity of this formalization to enhance the process’s effectiveness. She highlighted that the Vatican’s role as a neutral intermediary could facilitate structured communications between Ukraine and Russia, ensuring accountability in the return of civilians. Despite the Vatican’s informal involvement, the success of these efforts remains unclear. Vereshchuk accompanied a delegation of Ukrainian families who had been displaced or detained in Russian-controlled territories, underscoring the urgency of resolving this humanitarian crisis. Ukraine continues to document thousands of cases of children unlawfully taken to Russia, a practice condemned as a war crime by the International Criminal Court, which issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2023. According to Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back platform, over 19,000 children have been officially recorded as deported or forcibly transferred, with 1,247 successfully returned through diplomatic channels as of March 2024.
Ukraine asks Vatican to formalize mediation role for return of citizens taken by Russia
