Pope Leo spoke with President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding the humanitarian emergency in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky following a previous discussion with Vladimir Putin.

Pope Leo held a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Oct. 19 to address the humanitarian crisis in Oleshky, a town in Kherson Oblast currently under Russian occupation. The discussion followed the Pope's Oct. 16 conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which he proposed a ceasefire to allow aid delivery and civilian evacuation for the approximately 2,000 residents trapped in the town.

Humanitarian Situation in Oleshky

Residents of Oleshky have faced severe shortages of food, water, and electricity since the town fell under Russian occupation during the early stages of the full-scale invasion. The area is currently characterized by mined roads, frequent drone attacks, and restrictive checkpoints where Russian troops conduct interrogations, making safe passage nearly impossible. According to the Vatican, Pope Leo has urged both Ukraine and Russia to cooperate to ensure the delivery of medical supplies and food, as well as the safe, voluntary evacuation of civilians.

Diplomatic Negotiations and Ceasefire Efforts

Ukraine and Russia are reportedly negotiating a local ceasefire to facilitate the evacuation of residents directly to Ukrainian-controlled territory, bypassing the longer route through Russia and Belarus. Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets stated on Oct. 18 that the parties are nearing an agreement, though no final terms have been publicly announced. While the Kremlin confirmed that Vladimir Putin agreed to cooperate on organizing supplies for the town, it did not explicitly mention a ceasefire in its account of the call with the Pope.