Zelenski gives to the Vatican a list of prisoners in Russia to mediate in their release

The president of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelenski, said that he has given the Vatican a list with the names of Ukrainians who have been arrested by the Russian army to give a diplomatic mediation that achieves his release.

“The Holy See has received a list of Ukrainians retained in Russian prisons and fields. We have the support for his release, ”said Zelenski in a message Shared in your social networks.

The Ukrainian head of state said he had had a telephone conversation with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, in which he also wished Pope Francis, admitted for a month at the Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital in Rome, “a prompt recovery.”

“I thanked their prayers and their moral support to our people, as well as their efforts to facilitate the return of the Ukrainian children deported and illegally displaced by Russia,” said Zelenski, who thanked the prayers for Ukraine and for Peace.

The mediation of the Holy See for the release of Ukrainians arrested in Russian territories is no novelty. The case of Ukrainian redeemer priests Ivan Levytskyi Y Bohdan Helenawhich were arrested in Berdyonsk by Russian occupation troops in November 2022 and released almost two years later, it is an example of this.

“The voice of the Holy See is very important on the road to peace. I appreciate the willingness to make efforts in pursuit of our common goal, ”said the Ukrainian President.

Zelenski also referred to his government’s decision to approve the United States proposal to achieve a temporary fire of 30 days. A commitment that reached two days ago after a meeting of more than eight hours among the delegations of both countries in the Saudi city of Yeda.

“The exchange of prisoners and a high total and unconditional provisional fire of 30 days are the first rapid steps that could significantly approach a fair and lasting peace. Ukraine is willing to take these steps because the Ukrainian people want peace more than anyone, ”Zelenski said in this regard.

However, despite the advances in Ukraine negotiations, he launched before the agreement his greatest attack on Russia since the beginning of the war, with the demolition of 337 drones in several Russian regions, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Zelenski also assured that “the world sees how Russia is deliberately putting conditions that only complicate and lengthen the process, since Russia is the only part that wants war to continue and diplomacy breaks.”