The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State of the Holy See
At the beginning of the meeting, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine expressed gratitude to Pope Francis and the Holy See for their continued support of Ukraine and for the humanitarian assistance that the Holy See has been organising and providing to Ukraine since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion. “In particular, I am grateful for the assistance provided through the mission of Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, Special Representative of Pope Francis,” added Ruslan Stefanchuk.
Addressing the Secretary of State of the Holy See, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine said: “I know that you were in Odesa and could personally see the consequences of russian missile attacks on the city. That is why we expect further support and humanitarian aid, primarily from Catholic organisations.”
He also thanked Cardinal Pietro Parolin for his personal participation in the Global Peace Summit held in Switzerland this year.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the importance of implementing President Volodymyr Zelenskyi's Peace Formula. Considerable attention was paid to the return of deported Ukrainian children and prisoners of war.
Regarding the conditions of the prisoners, Ruslan Stefanchuk stressed that Ukraine has created and ensures decent conditions for russian prisoners of war, unlike the aggressor country.
“russia does not agree to the establishment of a Joint Medical Commission to objectively determine the medical condition of Ukrainian prisoners of war,” said the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and called on the Holy See to make every effort to change the position of russia on the establishment of the relevant medical commission.
Ruslan Stefanchuk also thanked the Holy See for helping Ukrainian children during the war and organising summer holidays for Ukrainian children in Italy.
The Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk also welcomed the Holy See's accession as an observer to the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.