Putin holds first telephone conversation with new pope

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone with Pope Leo on Wednesday, the Kremlin said, as part of continuing diplomatic outreach amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“During the exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine, Putin reiterated his interest in achieving peace through political and diplomatic means and stressed that for a final, fair and comprehensive resolution of the crisis it is necessary to eliminate its root causes,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

The call comes amid renewed international efforts to end the Ukraine conflict, with both Russia and the US pursuing parallel diplomatic channels.