Pope urges Ukraine and Russia to co-operate on aid

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 19:02 · Archive

Pope Leo has called on Ukraine and Russia to co-operate to allow humanitarian aid into the blockaded Ukrainian town of Oleshky.

Pope Leo has held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to urge Ukraine and Russia to co-operate to let aid and food into the blockaded town of Oleshky. The Vatican said in a statement about the Monday call that Leo "expressed the hope that co-operation between both parties will allow for the delivery of food and medical aid, and for the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population." Residents of Oleshky, occupied by Russian forces since February 2022, have reported a deepening food crisis.

The Pope, who is recovering from lung cancer surgery, spoke on Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin and asked him to arrange a ceasefire to facilitate the entry of aid into Oleshky. The Kremlin said afterwards that Putin had agreed to co-operate with the Pope to organise supplies for the town but did not mention a ceasefire. Zelenskiy did not immediately release a statement about his conversation with the Pope.

Separately, Russian forces launched one of their broadest air assaults against Ukraine in months overnight, firing 16 ballistic missiles at Kyiv and the surrounding region and more than 200 drones across the country. Ukrainian regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said a Russian drone attack on Monday killed six people, including three children, in a park in a village in the northeastern Kharkiv region, with 15 people injured in the strike southwest the city of Kharkiv.

How it is being reported

• Pope urges Zelenskiy to co-operate with Russia on aidPope Leo has spoken by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, urging co-operation with Russia to allow humanitarian aid into the town of Oleshky.Perth Now · 19 Oct, 18:53
• Pope urges Zelenskiy to co-operate with Russia on aidPope Leo has spoken by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, urging co-operation with Russia to allow humanitarian aid into the town of Oleshky.The West Australian · 19 Oct, 18:53

In this story: Pope Leo · Volodymyr Zelenskiy · Vladimir Putin · Russia · Ukraine · Oleshky · Kharkiv

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