By KYIV. Nov 21 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Head of the President’s Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak on Tuesday, November 21, had a phone conversation with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
“Andriy Yermak and Pietro Parolin discussed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, which has already been supported by many countries. It is one of the integral elements of the concept of implementing the Ukrainian Peace Formula, in particular, the clause on the return of deported children and the release of civilian hostages and prisoners of war,” the presidential press service said.
Yermak invited representatives of the Holy See to take part in the first meeting of the international coalition of countries for the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia, which will take place on December 8, 2023 in Kyiv.
He also expressed gratitude to the Vatican for the participation of his representative in the meeting of national security advisers and political advisers in Malta.
Separately, Yermak noted Cardinal Parolin’s agreement to lead a solemn service in one of the largest churches in Rome, Sant’Andrea della Valle, on Thursday on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of one of the largest tragedies in the history of Ukraine – the Holodomor-genocide of 1932-1933. According to him, this is a great sign of closeness on the part of the Apostolic Capital and readiness to continue to support Ukraine in its sacred struggle for freedom and dignity.
“Ukraine clearly perceives this fact as an important signal to the international community, which, like Vatican City, should recognize this tragedy as a criminal act of genocide by the totalitarian Soviet-Russian regime,” Yermak said.
