MOSCOW. June 30 (Interfax) - Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov has called his meeting with the Pope's special envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi in Moscow useful, and noted the Vatican's readiness to make a bigger contribution to searching for ways to reach a settlement in Ukraine.
"We had a useful exchange of views. We discussed the situation around the Ukraine conflict. [...] The mission of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi indicates that the Vatican would like to intensify its contribution to a possible settlement in Ukraine," Ushakov said in an interview with Interfax on Friday.
"No specific ideas were put forward, but it was clearly suggested that the Vatican sees a logical field for its efforts. These are humanitarian affairs, an exchange of detained civilians, issues related to the relocation of children, and other matters of this kind," Ushakov said.
The papal envoy "demonstrated the aspiration - and this is very important - to depoliticize all humanitarian affairs, and expressed a sincere wish to help people in distress. We support such sentiments of the papal representative in principle," he said.
Ushakov said he noted at the meeting that Moscow "appreciates the balanced and impartial stance of the Vatican [on the situation in Ukraine]." He also said that "the discussion was useful for both sides."