Zelensky dismisses Pope Francis’ appeal for talks with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy adjusts his earphone during a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan (not pictured) in Istanbul, Turkey, March 8, 2024. REUTERS

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday dismissed Pope Francis’s call for talks with Russia as “virtual mediation” from a distance.

Zelensky, in his nightly video address, did not refer directly to Francis or his remarks, but said the pope’s ideas had nothing to do with efforts by religious figures in Ukraine to help the country.

READ: Pope urges ‘courage to negotiate’ on Ukraine war

“They support us with prayer, with their discussion and with deeds. “This is indeed what a church with the people is,” Zelensky said. “Not 2,500 km away, somewhere, virtual mediation between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you.”

READ: Ukraine’s Zelensky says he discussed peace formula with Pope