Russian President supports Vatican initiative to ensure safety of Alyoshki residents and deliver vital supplies

Moscow, October 16 (KUNA) -- The Russian Presidential Administration announced on Friday that President Vladimir Putin endorsed the Vatican’s initiative to create the necessary conditions to ensure the safety of the residents of Alushta in Ukraine’s Kherson region and to provide them with essential supplies. In a statement, the administration said this came during a phone call between Putin and Pope Leo XIV, during which the two agreed to cooperate in this regard and discussed developments in Ukraine, efforts to resolve the conflict, and the humanitarian aspects related to the situation in the city. It added that Putin thanked Pope Leo XIV for his willingness to contribute to resolving the Ukrainian conflict and to humanitarian efforts, and provided clarifications regarding what he described as the responsibility of Ukrainian authorities for the humanitarian situation in Alushta. The statement further noted that the call also addressed the importance of cooperation between Russia and the Vatican in promoting shared spiritual and moral values and protecting Christians and Christian holy sites around the world. The Russian Presidential Administration indicated that both sides reaffirmed their interest in continuing dialogue between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, noting that Putin expressed his wishes for the Pope’s health and speedy recovery following his recent surgery. The statement said the conversation took place in a constructive atmosphere marked by mutual respect. Alushta, located in Kherson region in southern Ukraine on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River, has been under Russian control since 2022 and is facing severe humanitarian conditions due to shortages of food, water, and medicine, as well as risks from landmines and drone attacks that hinder the delivery of aid and the evacuation of civilians, according to the United Nations. (End) D.A.N./R.J.