Russian drone attacks continued across Ukraine on Saturday, killing nine civilians, according to Ukrainian officials. Meanwhile, the Vatican reiterated its willingness to assist in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
The renewed violence and the Vatican’s offer followed Friday’s historic but short-lived peace talks in Istanbul, the first direct discussions between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in years. Despite hopes for progress, the meeting concluded in less than two hours without any agreement on a ceasefire. Russian President Vladimir Putin did not attend the talks.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on social media that he plans to speak with Putin on Monday. In a post written entirely in capital letters, he stated that the conversation would focus on ending the ongoing “bloodbath,” which he claimed is claiming the lives of over 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian soldiers weekly. Trump added that he would speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO leaders after the Putin call.
Civilian Deaths in Sumy Region
On Saturday, a Russian drone strike hit a civilian evacuation bus in the northeastern Sumy region of Ukraine, killing nine people and injuring seven others, three of them critically. The attack took place in Bilopillia, a town just six miles from the Russian border, according to regional governor Oleh Hryhorov and national police. The Associated Press has not independently verified the incident, and Moscow has not commented.
President Zelenskyy condemned the attack, calling it a “deliberate killing of civilians.” In a Telegram post, he emphasized that the Russians “could scarcely not realize what kind of vehicle they were hitting.” He expressed disappointment over the failed peace talks, saying Ukraine had long proposed an unconditional ceasefire to save lives. “Russia only retains the ability to continue killing,” he added.
Vatican Reaffirms Role in Peace Efforts
Following the unsuccessful Istanbul negotiations, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, called the outcome “tragic” and reaffirmed the Vatican’s readiness to serve as a neutral ground for direct talks.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was in Rome on Saturday, met with Vatican officials, including Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Vatican’s point man on Ukraine. Prior to the meeting, Rubio said, “I wouldn’t call it [the Vatican] a broker, but it’s certainly a place both sides would be comfortable going.” He praised the Vatican’s continued efforts to promote peace.
Rubio also held talks with the Vatican Secretary of State and Foreign Minister. According to spokesperson Tammy Bruce, the meetings centered on “the urgent need to end the Russia-Ukraine war,” emphasizing the importance of collaboration under the leadership of newly elected Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Leo XIV, who became the first American pope on May 8, echoed the Vatican’s peace message during his first Regina Caeli prayer. He urged all parties to pursue “an authentic, just, and lasting peace.” As a bishop in Peru, Pope Leo had previously described Russia’s war in Ukraine as an “imperialist invasion.” He pledged to personally work toward achieving peace.
Addressing Eastern Rite Catholics, including members of Ukraine’s Greek Catholic Church, Pope Leo appealed directly to both sides to negotiate. “The Holy See is always ready to help bring enemies together, face to face, to talk to one another, so that peoples everywhere may once more find hope and recover the dignity they deserve — the dignity of peace,” he said.