Pope's envoy working on mechanism to return children to Ukraine

The Vatican's special envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, says he is working on a "mechanism" that could ensure children who have been abducted to Russia are returned. 

That’s according to Sky News, Ukrinform reports.

"We'll see how we can start the mechanism for the children [and] help as we have said on the humanitarian front, particularly the children that must be able to return to Ukraine," Cardinal Matteo Zuppi said at a book presentation in Rome. 

He noted that he had personally discussed the issue with the pontiff. 

The Italian cardinal visited Moscow last week, and was previously in Kyiv. 

The Vatican has described his efforts as "aimed at identifying humanitarian initiatives, which could open roads to peace".

Speaking to Italian public broadcaster RAI on Sunday, Cardinal Zuppi said he was not working on a "peace plan" or a "mediation" between Ukraine and Russia, saying he was just focusing on "humanitarian aspects". 

As reported, the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, Andriy Yermak, said that Ukraine does not rely on the Vatican's mediation in negotiations with Moscow, but instead would welcome help in freeing captured Ukrainians and returning Ukrainian children.

On June 28-29, the Pope’s special envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, visited Russia as part of the Vatican's mission to "achieve a just peace" in Ukraine.

On June 5-6, Zuppi visited Ukraine. At a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, he discussed the situation in Ukraine and humanitarian cooperation within the framework of the implementation of the peace formula.