Vladimir Putin agrees to cooperate on delivering aid to the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, following Pope Leo's appeal

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pope Leo that Russia is ready to cooperate to ensure essential supplies for the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, which is under Russian control, following a telephone conversation held on Friday. The Pope asked the Kremlin leader to support the organization of a ceasefire that would allow aid and food to reach the town in the Kherson region, where the humanitarian situation has deteriorated.

According to the Kremlin, the Vatican’s intention to help secure the population and provide essential goods was welcomed, and the two sides agreed to cooperate. However, the Russian statement does not mention an agreement on the ceasefire requested by the pontiff.

The Vatican said that Pope Leo had expressed “deep concern” about the food crisis and shortage of medicines in the city. Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of blocking deliveries. Moscow claims that its army is trying to resolve the problem, while Kyiv says that Russia is preventing supplies from reaching the city.

Oleshky had approximately 24,000 residents before the war, while around 1,700 people, including 47 children, currently live there. The 71-year-old Pope is recovering in a hospital in Rome after undergoing surgery for lung cancer.