Ukraine: Cardinal Zuppi visits Russian prisoners: ‘The Pope is with you’

Then came the image of Pope Prevost: ‘Leo XIV has sent me here to be a voice of hope amongst you and to say that he stands with all those who are suffering because of the war’. And also a reproduction of the Salus Populi Romani, the Marian icon housed in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

There is also a small hospital within the detention centre. “Many prisoners have tuberculosis or joint problems due to the gruelling life in the trenches. And many have shrapnel from explosives in their arms or legs,” say the doctors and nurses. In the consultation room, he met the first three prisoners: one from North Korea, the other two Russian. Cardinal Zuppi is accompanied on his mission to Ukraine by the Apostolic Nuncio to Kyiv, Monsignor Visvaldas Kulbokas, and by the Ukrainian Ambassador to the Holy See, Andrii Yurash.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has resigned as part of a government reshuffle ordered by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Ukrainian leader has not yet named a successor and has merely stated that Kyiv is “changing its political strategy” in the face of “new challenges and new tasks”. The Ukrainian parliament today approved Svyrydenko’s resignation.

“The outcome of my talks with Emmanuel Macron is a significant agreement between Ukraine and France. Ukraine will receive licences to produce very powerful weapons – Scalp missiles, AASM bombs and Aster 30 missiles in collaboration with Italy. France will also be working with us and other partners on the Freyja anti-ballistic missile programme. Ukraine will be the first to receive the new, upgraded Franco-Italian Samp/t Ng systems.” This was announced on X by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Furthermore, Ukraine will purchase the first 16 Rafale fighter jets ‘for our combat air force, together with the relevant armament package’, added the Ukrainian president.

“France will also supply two Samp/T batteries to strengthen our defences as early as this year. France and Italia will also speed up deliveries of the Aster 30 missiles by October this year. Training for our pilots and maintenance personnel in France is expected to begin as early as this year. Subsequently, the first four Rafale aircraft will be delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We are systematically strengthening Ukraine’s combat capabilities,” Zelenskyy wrote on his account.

According to government sources, Germany will not take part in the first military exercises of the “Coalition of the Willing”, formed to support Ukraine, which are to be held in Poland. It is described as a “small-scale staff exercise” which will take place without German participation, according to statements made in Berlin. This is reported by the DPA.

The coalition, comprising around 35 of Ukraine’s allies, agreed yesterday, at a meeting in Paris, on the first exercises to be carried out by the multinational force in support of Ukraine. This force will be established to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. The first manoeuvres are expected to take place in Poland, one of Ukraine’s neighbouring countries.

In this way, the coalition intends to “prepare to provide concrete security guarantees for Ukraine, but also for the region”, said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, according to the PAP news agency.