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Zelensky briefs Patriarch Bartholomew on contacts with U.S. officials
Ukraine’s President visited the Phanar immediately after talks with Erdoğan and congratulated Bartholomew on the 35th anniversary of his patriarchate. They also discussed Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy system and the evacuation of residents from Oleshky.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the residence of the Ecumenical (Constantinople) Patriarchate in Istanbul’s Phanar district on the evening of October 31 and met with Patriarch Bartholomew. The visit came after Zelensky’s talks with President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Dolmabahçe working office.
“I spoke about our work with partners to achieve peace, particularly our contacts with the U.S. side. Naturally, I also briefed him on the situation in Ukraine, the ongoing Russian strikes on our energy infrastructure and everything that ensures people’s normal lives,” Zelensky said after the meeting.
According to him, the sides also discussed the humanitarian operation in Oleshky, Kherson region, which is under Russian control, from where people were evacuated. “This is a very important result, and we hope the world will continue to pressure Russia so that such de-escalation steps can be expanded,” the Ukrainian leader added.
Fifth visit and patriarch’s anniversary
The patriarchate said this was Zelensky’s fifth visit to the Phanar since he was elected president; his previous visit took place in early April. The one-on-one conversation in the patriarchal office lasted about an hour. Zelensky was accompanied by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, while the patriarchate was represented by Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Metropolitan Gregory of Ankara and the Ukrainian-born clergyman Epiphaniy.
Zelensky thanked Bartholomew for his consistent public position, support for Ukraine and prayers for peace. He also congratulated him on the 35th anniversary of his patriarchate; Bartholomew’s enthronement took place on November 2, 1991.
What the patriarchate said
According to the patriarchate, Bartholomew once again assured the Ukrainian people, who are enduring the war, of his support. He said that the Mother Church was praying for peace and justice in Ukraine and for a peaceful resolution to all conflicts while supporting any initiatives in that direction. The patriarch also expressed hope that the thousands of Ukrainian children whom the patriarchate calls abducted would soon return to their families. He then blessed the other members of the Ukrainian delegation in the Throne Room and accompanied the president to the patriarchate’s gates.
Earlier the same day, Zelensky said he had discussed with Erdoğan the possibility of holding peace talks in Türkiye and had agreed to work together on the Black Sea grain corridor.
Photos in the article: Nikos Papachristou / Ecumenical Patriarchate
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