The Russian Foreign Ministry stated on Wednesday that it does not intend to hold meetings with Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Pope Francis’ envoy to Ukraine, during his visit to Moscow.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko previously affirmed that Moscow maintains a dialogue with the Vatican to bring peace to Ukraine.
On Tuesday, the Vatican announced that Zuppi will head to Moscow in a two-day visit, three weeks after his visit to Kyiv.
In previous remarks, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, affirmed that “peaceful exits” should be provided to end the conflict in Ukraine.
“I have real hope for peace in Ukraine, in the sense that we must continue to offer peaceful exits through mediation and good offices, but I do not see great chances to accept these proposals at the present time,” he said.
The cardinal added: “The whole world is interested in this war, and the entire international community must continue to present proposals for peace. In addition, there are private initiatives, such as that of the Holy See, which from the outset has declared its readiness to mediate.”
