Italy’s Meloni ready to help if Vatican agrees to Trump’s war mediation plan

Italy has expressed support for President Donald Trump’s idea that the Vatican may help facilitate ceasefire discussions in Ukraine, while he seems to be stepping back from involvement in the negotiations.

The office of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated that Italy is prepared to “facilitate discussions and strive for peace” in Ukraine and has a positive view of the Pope’s willingness to host the negotiations at the Vatican.

However, no concrete agreement has been reached for further talks; last Friday’s meeting between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul resulted in new demands from Moscow rather than any breakthroughs.

Pope Leo remarked last week that the Vatican is “always ready” to mediate between opposing sides and will “make every effort” to ensure peace prevails.

Nonetheless, the Holy See indicates that the prospect of hosting or mediating discussions—suggested by Trump—is more of a hopeful aspiration rather than a definitive plan.

Should discussions proceed, Ukraine seems amenable to the Vatican serving as a host.

Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned in a post on X that he had a conversation with Giorgia Meloni regarding “potential platforms for talks with the Russians.”

He described the Italian prime minister as having “cool ideas,” although she also mentioned Turkey and Switzerland as alternative locations.

The Kremlin may prefer Turkey as a venue. They refer to a “Istanbul Plus” process, framing any discussions as a continuation of the agreement initiated in Turkey soon after the onset of the invasion.

The conditions outlined, which required Ukraine to significantly downsize its military, would be viewed as capitulation by Kyiv at this stage.

Additionally, Russia has introduced further demands: the “plus” signifies recognition of its annexation of four partially occupied Ukrainian regions and Crimea.

For the Kremlin, the actual location is secondary: it simply desires discussions to occur on Vladimir Putin’s terms.

Prospects for substantial progress seem dim, to be blunt.

Could the Vatican possibly lend some moral authority to push for a compromise?

The Catholic Church has a history of mediating conflicts and has participated in negotiations to free prisoners and return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.

However, its actual influence remains unclear, as others have fulfilled similar roles.

Conversely, the inclusion of the Vatican—particularly a new Pope—would bring a different dynamic to the discussions.

Its understated approach contrasts sharply with Donald Trump’s brash social media remarks and his confrontational exchanges with Zelensky in the Oval Office. The setting seems to have positively impacted the rapport between the two leaders.

They were seen engaged in deep conversation, heads inclined closely together, at Pope Francis’ funeral in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Vatican takes pride in its diplomatic efforts: when many distanced themselves from Moscow after it began bombarding Ukraine, the Catholic Church sent a cardinal envoy to engage with the Kremlin. However, this had little effect.

Pope Francis, like Donald Trump, has always refrained from explicitly labeling Russia as the aggressor. Vatican insiders suggest this approach is intended to maintain a channel for dialogue, even in seemingly hopeless circumstances.

However, he has further annoyed Ukrainians by implying that Russia was “provoked” by NATO into its invasion. He subsequently suggested it could be wise for Kyiv to “raise the white flag” and surrender.

For Kyiv, Pope Leo may serve as a more acceptable peace mediator. He has publicly condemned Russia’s invasion as an imperialist war and denounced the crimes against humanity committed by Putin’s forces.

This stance, however, is unlikely to dissuade the Kremlin if the Vatican were to offer to host negotiations.

“Putin can articulate his viewpoint to the Pope, whom he believes is justified. In his perspective, it’s Ukraine that’s insincere regarding peace talks,” stated Tatiana Stanovaya from the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Centre.

“I am certain that the Pope could not alter Putin’s perspective in any meaningful way.”

At this juncture, Russia is not facing significant pressure to concede ground: all of Trump’s previous threats of consequences for Putin’s defiance have transitioned into discussions of trade with Russia. Focusing on incentives rather than threatening sanctions.

Indeed, Moscow’s ambitions have only expanded.

“They desire Zelensky’s ousting and the cessation of military aid from the US and EU, but the US has stood firmly with Ukraine on this point, from Russia’s view,” Tatiana Stanovaya noted.

Thus, Russia is willing to adopt a long-term strategy that does not involve compromise.

“If the Pope could help pressure Ukraine, Putin would not have an issue with his participation,” she concludes.

This seems to underscore the deeper issues at play, extending far beyond whether the two parties dine on meze or antipasti amidst hypothetical negotiations.