Pope Leo XIV says US peace plan risks transatlantic alliance, calls Europe essential for Ukraine security guarantees and lasting peace.
CASTEL GANDOLFO: Pope Leo XIV has warned that seeking peace in Ukraine without Europe is “unrealistic”.
He stated that former US President Donald Trump’s proposed plan risks a “huge change” in the transatlantic alliance.
The Pope made these remarks to journalists on Tuesday after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He cautioned against recent comments that are “trying to break apart what I think needs to be a very important alliance today and in the future”.
Leo XIV said he had not read the latest US proposal on ending the Russian war in full.
“Unfortunately, some of the parts that I have seen make a huge change in what was for many, many years a true alliance between Europe and the United States,” he said.
His comments follow a Politico interview where Trump called Europe “weak” and “decaying” over immigration and Ukraine.
Many European capitals fear Trump’s plan would force Kyiv to cede territory to Moscow.
“Seeking a peace agreement without including Europe in the discussions, let’s say, is unrealistic,” the Pope said.
“The war is in Europe, and I think that Europe must be part of the guarantees we are seeking for security today and in the future.”
He added that “unfortunately, not everyone understands this”.
When asked about accepting Zelensky’s invitation to visit Ukraine, Leo XIV replied “I hope so”.
He cautioned that it was not possible to say when such a trip might be possible. – AFP
