Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Catholic Church has said that peace talks with Russia are currently impossible because “Russia does not consider Ukraine a subject of dialogue, and even more so, denies Ukraine’s right to exist.”
Ukraine is the “party seeking dialogue,” the Ukrainian prelate said. He rejected the “accusations against Ukraine that it seems to be refusing negotiations.” That comment may have been aimed at Pope Francis, who said earlier this month that Ukraine should “have the courage to negotiate.”