The Vatican and China, two prominent supporters of diplomatic solutions to conflicts, have held talks to address the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi recently spoke with Beijing’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, about the need for dialogue between parties involved in the conflict. Both parties emphasized the importance of international guarantees for a just and lasting peace.
Cardinal Zuppi had previously led a peace mission to Ukraine in 2022. His visit last year included stops in Kiev, Moscow, and Washington, as well as Beijing in September. The Holy See has been working tirelessly to mediate the crisis in Ukraine and provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict.
Li Hui expressed appreciation for the Vatican’s efforts on behalf of Ukraine and acknowledged the importance of China and Brazil’s six-point plan, which includes a call for a ceasefire and a negotiated end to the settlement. The plan has gained significant attention in recent months as Pope Francis continues to advocate for peace in Ukraine.
The Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, visited Ukraine last month and met with the country’s leadership. Following this visit, Parolin called for Russia to be included in peace negotiations and pointed out that Kiev’s ‘peace formula’ promoted by Vladimir Zelensky was “not enough.” This plan includes demands like Russia’s withdrawal from all territories Ukraine claims as its own. However, Moscow has rejected the formula as unrealistic.
China, too, has repeatedly stressed the importance of resolving the conflict between Moscow and Kiev through negotiations at the table. In July, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba visited China for a three-day trip, during which Beijing stated that Kiev was ready to engage in dialogue with Moscow.
Despite these efforts, Russia has expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s willingness to engage in genuine peace talks. This skepticism is fueled by incidents such as the recent attack on Russia’s Kursk Region, which marked the largest cross-border assault since the beginning of the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that any peace talks with those who conduct indiscriminate strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure are impossible.
As the crisis in Ukraine continues to escalate, both the Vatican and China remain committed to finding a diplomatic solution through dialogue and negotiation between all parties involved. The international community must continue to support these efforts in order to achieve lasting peace in the region.