Zelensky calls on Vatican to help implement Ukraine's peace plan

MOSCOW. June 7 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and Pope Francis' special representative, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, discussed the situation in Ukraine and humanitarian cooperation with the Holy See as part of efforts to implement Ukraine's "peace formula" at their meeting in Kiev, Ukrainian media said, citing Zelensky's press service.

Freezing the conflict will not help establish peace, Zelensky said.

The parties discussed in detail the implementation of Ukraine's "peace formula" and the need to invite a large number of countries, including southern ones, to attend a planned summit of global leaders, the press service said.

Zelensky called on the Vatican to contribute to making the Ukrainian peace plan a reality.

"We welcome the readiness of other states and partners [to take part] in the search for paths to peace," the Ukrainian president said, adding that the formula "for achieving peace may be only Ukrainian."

Cardinal Zuppi, for his part, reaffirmed the Vatican's readiness to help search for ways to fulfill the aforementioned humanitarian initiatives.

It was reported that Zuppi passed a letter from Pope Francis to Zelensky.