A ceasefire in Ukraine “will not lead to peace,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Pope Francis’ special envoy Italian Cardinal Matteo Zuppi during a visit to Kyiv on Tuesday, AFP reports.

“The head of state emphasized that the ceasefire and freezing of the conflict will not lead to the establishment of peace,” the message of the Ukrainian president reads.

Zelensky appealed to the Holy See with a request to “facilitate the implementation of the Ukrainian peace plan”, which provides for the return of all territories occupied by Moscow to Kyiv.

According to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyi “emphasized that only through joint efforts, diplomatic isolation and pressure on Russia can we influence the aggressor and lead to a just peace on the territory of Ukraine.”

“The President noted that the Holy See can effectively facilitate the release of Ukrainian prisoners, the return of deported children and the restoration of justice,” the President’s statement reads.

In a separate statement issued late in the afternoon, the Vatican described the visit as “short but intense”, saying the content of the various discussions would be “brought to the attention of the Holy Father” as well as “severe suffering”. of the Ukrainian people”.

Archbishop Zuppi’s visit to Kyiv comes as Ukrainian forces have launched a series of “offensives” in recent days to test Russian defenses and gain victories near the devastated eastern city of Bakhmut.

Russia claims to have resisted all these attacks.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been ongoing for more than 15 months, and all peace initiatives between the two sides seem doomed to failure.