Italy has expressed support for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the Vatican could mediate ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine — though the proposal remains more aspirational than actual.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office confirmed Italy is ready to “facilitate contacts and work towards peace,” and said it “viewed positively” what it understood to be Pope Leo’s willingness to host negotiations at the Vatican.
Yet so far, there is no formal agreement on further discussions. A meeting last Friday between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul resulted in new demands from Moscow but no breakthrough.
Pope Leo recently affirmed that the Vatican is “always ready” to bring adversaries together and would “make every effort” for peace. However, Vatican sources downplayed the prospect of hosting or mediating talks for now, calling it more a hope than a concrete plan.
Meloni has responded warmly to U.S. proposals, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also appears open to the idea. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, he said he had discussed “possible platforms for talks with the Russians” with Meloni, describing her, as always, as having “cool ideas.” He also mentioned Turkey and Switzerland as alternative venues.
Russia, however, seems to prefer continuing under the framework of “Istanbul Plus,” an extension of talks initiated in Turkey shortly after the full-scale invasion. The original terms — which included sharp reductions in Ukraine’s military — would now amount to surrender for Kyiv. The new “plus” demands include recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea and four partially occupied Ukrainian regions.
Ultimately, the choice of location appears secondary to the Kremlin, which is primarily focused on setting the terms of negotiation.
Although the likelihood of genuine progress appears slim, some wonder whether the Vatican could lend moral weight to the peace process.
The Catholic Church has a long history of conflict mediation and has already been involved in humanitarian talks to free prisoners and return Ukrainian children taken by Russia. However, the Vatican’s concrete role in those negotiations remains unclear, as other actors have often taken the lead.
Still, the Vatican’s discreet diplomatic style stands in stark contrast to Trump’s brash social media commentary and his tense Oval Office encounter with Zelensky during his presidency. Interestingly, the two leaders were photographed in deep conversation at Pope Francis’s funeral — a moment that seemed to thaw relations.
The Vatican has maintained diplomatic ties with Moscow, even after most of the West severed relations. Despite this effort, papal diplomacy has yet to influence Russian policy.
Like Trump, Pope Francis avoided directly naming Russia as the aggressor, reportedly to preserve diplomatic channels. But this neutral stance drew criticism in Kyiv, especially after Francis suggested that NATO had “provoked” the invasion and even hinted it might be wise for Ukraine to consider surrender.
In contrast, Pope Leo, while serving as a bishop, explicitly condemned Russia’s invasion as imperialist and labeled Putin’s actions as crimes against humanity — a stance that may be more palatable to Ukrainian leaders.
Still, experts are skeptical about whether any papal involvement would sway Putin.
“Putin can explain his position to the Pope — he believes it’s just,” said Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre. “In his mind, it’s Ukraine that isn’t serious about peace talks. I don’t believe for one second that the Pope could affect Putin’s understanding in any way.
With Donald Trump stepping back from directly leading talks, his recent rhetoric has shifted from punishment to potential trade with Russia — a notable departure from earlier calls for sanctions and pressure.
According to Stanovaya, Moscow is holding out for far more: the removal of Zelensky, and an end to Western military support for Ukraine. From the Russian viewpoint, U.S. and EU backing for Ukraine remains the biggest obstacle.
“Russia is playing the long game, and that doesn’t involve compromise,” she said. “If the Pope could help pressure Ukraine, Putin wouldn’t object.”
In the end, the real sticking point may not be the venue — whether in Vatican courtyards or Turkish banquet halls — but the deeper unwillingness on both sides to bend.
