A high-level Vatican meeting raised urgent steps to secure prisoner rights and return children taken to Russia. Details of proposed diplomatic actions remained under discussion.
The head of the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, Lieutenant General Oleh Ivashchenko, and the Vatican’s special envoy for Ukraine, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, discussed the protection of the rights of Ukrainian prisoners of war, the return of children abducted by Russia, the search for missing persons, the repatriation of the bodies of the dead, and also cases of torture and inhumane treatment.
According to the Coordinating Headquarters, the meeting took place in the context of humanitarian initiatives and support for people affected by Russia’s aggression.
Ivashchenko expressed gratitude to the Vatican’s special envoy and personally to Pope Leo XIV for his keen attention to humanitarian issues related to the war in Ukraine.
During the discussion, the parties considered all painful questions of protecting the rights of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians who are illegally detained in Russia, the return of children, inadequate conditions of detention in Russian prisons, the search for missing persons, and the repatriation of the bodies of the dead, as well as acts of torture and inhumane treatment.
Position on exchanges and humanitarian initiatives
Ivashchenko separately emphasized Ukraine’s full readiness to carry out exchanges and the need for immediate improvement of the conditions of Ukrainian prisoners’ detention.
All for all
– Oleh Ivashchenko
He also noted that the families of prisoners, deprived of freedom and often even the right to contact loved ones, hope that the Catholic Church, with its authority, will convey the good news of liberation and salvation and that everyone is remembered, loved, and awaited.
Representatives of civil organizations of families that are part of the Coordinating Headquarters’ Public Council also addressed the Pope’s special envoy. They thanked the Vatican for its consistency in demanding the acceleration of exchanges and the resolution of humanitarian issues.
The Cardinal noted the activity of the previous Pope Francis, whose pontificate lasted until the spring of 2025, and of the current Pope Leo XIV in his influence on liberation from captivity and the cessation of torture.
The Holy See prays for the swift release and return home of all prisoners of war and civilians, he noted.
The Vatican envoy also thanked for the visit organized by the Coordinating Headquarters to the camp for prisoners of war.
During the meeting, Ukraine expects decisive diplomatic steps from partners aimed at stopping torture, providing Russia with full official information about all detained and imprisoned Ukrainian and other citizens, and also the return of all Ukrainians home.
During the cardinal’s visit, he was accompanied by Apostolic Nuncio Visvaldas Kulbokas and Ukraine’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to the Vatican Andriy Yurash.
The Pope called for an end to the war in Ukraine after Russia’s recent attack on the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.
The meeting underscored the unity of partners’ efforts in advancing humanitarian initiatives and protecting the rights of people affected by the war.