Change is not far away
The path toward resolving the conflict in Ukraine is moving forward, with wide discussions about peace initiatives and the potential involvement of global figures. Reports from the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero highlight expectations that religious and political leaders will play a pivotal role in resuming talks, including perspectives shared by Hungary’s president. President Katalin Nowak has voiced cautious optimism that changes are imminent and that renewed diplomacy could gain momentum soon.
During a personal audience at the Vatican, Nowak and the Pope discussed the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine and the broader international efforts aimed at ending the conflict. The conversation underscored a shared belief that concrete steps toward peace are within reach, even as details of a specific plan remained closely held. Nowak hinted at progress, noting that a peace project had been discussed previously with the Pope during a trip to Budapest several months earlier, though she did not offer a running timeline. These remarks point to a broader sense that the moment for structured peace talks is approaching.
In the conversation, Nowak described the mission of the Pope’s envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, and outlined intentions for further travel to Beijing following visits to Kyiv, Moscow, and Washington. The President framed these movements as signals of impending change and emphasized the potential for international engagement to ease tensions. The pope’s representative is viewed as playing a critical role in shaping dialogue and bringing diverse parties to a potential agreement, with Beijing identified as a strategic next stop where cooperation from both the United States and China could help ease friction.
Nowak described the overall diplomatic effort as a strategic peace initiative rather than a one-off mediating act. She referred to the process as a form of peace engagement and praised the pope’s envoy for his willingness to engage with multiple capitals. The pope has suggested that the mission’s objectives revolve around reducing hostility and building a framework for lasting negotiation, underscoring the importance of united, constructive action on the global stage.
Vatican’s secret mission
The Vatican has positioned the pope as a potential mediator in the Ukraine crisis, signaling readiness to facilitate dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv. By late spring of the previous year, there were reports of a confidential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine involving Vatican officials. While specifics were not publicly disclosed at the time, the Vatican confirmed ongoing work, prioritizing privacy in its communications. The mission later became associated with Cardinal Zuppi, who continued to pursue diplomatic channels across the region.
In the following months, Cardinal Zuppi arrived in Ukraine and held talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky about a structured pathway toward peace. His travels extended to Moscow, where he met with key figures including Patriarch Kirill and other senior officials. Later, Zuppi was seen in Washington engaging with President Joe Biden as part of continued diplomatic outreach. These movements illustrate a multi-city approach aimed at building consensus and identifying workable terms for ending the conflict.
Meanwhile, Russian leadership has reaffirmed interest in a peaceful resolution while also reiterating its position that Kyiv’s terms are not acceptable. The layered diplomacy underscores the challenge of reconciling divergent security and political objectives, yet it also highlights a persistent appetite for dialogue at the highest levels.
EU cannot get closer to peace
In response to the Hungarian president’s remarks, the minister of foreign affairs for Hungary commented that the European Union is not yet capable of bringing Kyiv and Moscow closer to a peace settlement. He asserted that even strong political unions have struggled to move the needle on this front, and suggested that some observers take pride in the lack of measurable progress. During a public appearance on a prominent television channel, he argued that risk of escalation remains higher than in recent months and warned that Europe has become drawn into the conflict, with a core group of politicians maintaining interest in prolonging the dispute.
The foreign affairs leader stressed that many European politicians have been swayed by militarized narratives, while the broader public bears the consequences. He argued that neither Hungarians nor Europeans should be compelled to bear increased costs or moral responsibility for a war started in other theaters. The exchange highlighted a tension between political rhetoric and the real-world impact on civilians and regional stability, inviting continued, pragmatic diplomacy to avert further escalation.