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Kremlin adviser, papal envoy to discuss Ukraine humanitarian issues

By Thomson Reuters Sep 1, 2026 | 6:00 PM

Sept 1 (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin’s foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov will discuss ​humanitarian issues in the Ukraine ‌conflict with papal envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi later this month in Russia, Ushakov was quoted by media ‌as ​saying on Tuesday.

“I ⁠will receive him ⁠at the end of September, and we will specifically talk about Ukrainian matters,” Russian news ​agencies said Ushakov told state television.

“Zuppi has come to us ⁠several times. He ⁠mainly deals with humanitarian ​issues and we will continue ​discussing those. Of course, the political ‌side of things is involved too. You can’t get around it.”

Zuppi, head of the Italian ⁠bishops conference, last visited Moscow in October 2024 for talks about family ⁠reunification, prisoner of ‌war exchanges and ⁠prospects for dialogue about ​ending ‌the war in Ukraine, launched ​by ⁠Russia’s 2022 invasion of its neighbor.

Zuppi has also held talks in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by ​Cynthia Osterman)