Italy has voiced support for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to involve the Vatican in brokering peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, amid growing international efforts to explore a diplomatic path to end the war.
In a statement released by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office, the Italian government said it was prepared to “facilitate contacts and work towards peace” and expressed its approval of what it described as Pope Leo’s “willingness” to host the negotiations in the Holy See.
“The Vatican is always ready to bring enemies together and will make every effort for peace to prevail,” Pope Leo said last week during a public appearance. However, Vatican officials later clarified that no official mediation role had been established and discussions remain in early, informal stages.
Italy’s endorsement of the proposal reflects growing concern in Europe about the stalemated conflict, which has entered its third year with no immediate signs of resolution. While Italy has traditionally supported Ukraine’s sovereignty, Meloni’s government has taken a more pragmatic approach in recent months, signalling interest in facilitating dialogue.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appeared open to the Vatican’s potential involvement. In a social media post on Tuesday, Zelensky stated that he had spoken with Meloni about “possible platforms for talks with the Russians.”
He described the Italian prime minister as having “as always, cool ideas,” while also mentioning Turkey and Switzerland as other potential venues.
Despite this cautious optimism, the road to negotiations remains fraught. A recent meeting in Istanbul between Russian and Ukrainian delegations failed to yield progress, with Moscow instead presenting new conditions.
The Kremlin has revived the idea of “Istanbul Plus,” referencing preliminary talks held in Turkey in 2022, shortly after the full-scale invasion began.
Those earlier terms, which would have required Ukraine to significantly downsize its military, are now considered unacceptable in Kyiv.
The “plus” now added by Moscow reportedly includes demands for Ukraine to recognize Russia’s annexation of four partially occupied territories, as well as Crimea—conditions Kyiv has firmly rejected.
Analysts suggest that Russia’s primary concern is not the venue of talks but the framing of negotiations around President Vladimir Putin’s terms.
A diplomatic source in Rome, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that “the Kremlin is not focused on geography. What matters to them is legitimizing their territorial claims.”
Meanwhile, Washington’s role remains ambiguous. Trump, who is currently campaigning for a return to the White House, has shown interest in facilitating peace but appears reluctant to lead the process himself. His endorsement of a Vatican-led initiative may serve to shift the burden of diplomacy while maintaining influence over the narrative.
As speculation over potential peace platforms continues, real movement toward ending hostilities remains elusive. Still, Italy’s support for Vatican mediation underscores the growing international appetite for a solution—however distant it may still be.