Kremlin says Putin agrees to cooperate with Pope Leo on aid for Oleshky
Pope Leo sought a ceasefire to allow food and aid into Russian-controlled Oleshky; the Kremlin said Putin agreed to cooperate but made no mention of a truce.
Oleshky, Ukraine. Pope Leo asked President Vladimir Putin on Friday to arrange a ceasefire so food and humanitarian aid could reach Russian-controlled Oleshky, according to the Vatican. The Kremlin said Putin had agreed to cooperate on assistance for the town, without mentioning a ceasefire.
Appeal for humanitarian access
The Vatican said Leo telephoned Putin and voiced serious concern about conditions in Oleshky, where residents have described a worsening shortage of food. Russian troops captured the town in February 2022, and Ukrainian forces are seeking to recapture it.
According to the Kremlin, Putin supported the Vatican’s effort to establish conditions that would protect residents and enable essential supplies to reach them. Its statement said the two sides had agreed to work together on the issue.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, told journalists following the conversation that Leo had initiated the call to appeal on behalf of the besieged town.
The Vatican also said the pope reiterated the Holy See’s support for any initiative aimed at achieving peace. Leo and Putin are known to have had one earlier conversation, in June 2025.
Russia and Ukraine trade accusations
Russia has acknowledged severe shortages of food and medical supplies in Oleshky and said its armed forces were trying to address them. It accused Ukraine of preventing deliveries from reaching the town. Ukraine, in turn, has accused Russia of blocking food deliveries.
Danielle Bell, who heads the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, said approximately 1,700 people remain in Oleshky, including 47 children. The town, located in Ukraine’s Kherson region, had roughly 24,000 inhabitants before the war.
Pope recovering after surgery
Leo, 71, is recuperating at Gemelli hospital in Rome following an operation for lung cancer. In an update earlier on Friday, the Vatican reported continued improvement in his condition and said he could work and carry out routine daily activities.
The Kremlin said Putin had conveyed his wishes for the pope to recover fully and quickly.
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