Pope Leo voiced hope that Ukraine and Russia would work together to relieve civilians in Russian-occupied Oleshky, the Vatican said after his Oct. 19 call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Vatican said cooperation could bring food and medical assistance into the town and allow residents who choose to leave to do so safely. Reuters reported that residents had described worsening food shortages in Oleshky, which Russian forces have occupied since February 2022.
The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said in a June update that, as of June 24, it had recorded no food delivery to Oleshky since May 26. The mission also reported that an aid convoy struck a landmine at the town’s entrance on June 2, killing one man and injuring three people.
The Kremlin said Putin agreed to work with Leo on arranging supplies for Oleshky. Its account did not mention a ceasefire.
