At the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine,

wanted to meet with dictator Vladimir Putin, but was denied such an opportunity.

He stated this during his interview with the Swiss TV channel

.

When asked by a journalist about what the Pope could say to the Russian dictator during the meeting, he said that he would talk to Putin in the same way as he speaks in public.

Francis said that he considers Putin to be an "informed" person.

In addition, the head of the Vatican stated that on the second day after the start of the full-scale invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine, he arrived at the Russian embassy.

At the Russian embassy, ​​he said he was ready to go to Moscow if Putin would give him the opportunity to negotiate.

In turn, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Serhii Lavrov, refused such an opportunity to the pontiff.

"Putin knows that I am available. But there are imperial interests, not only of the Russian Empire, but also of other empires. It is typical for the empire to put nations second," Francis said.

We will remind, it was previously reported that on the eve of the anniversary of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine, the parliamentary friendship group between the Holy See and Ukraine

.

In addition, earlier Pope Francis criticized the Russian leadership for

.

Read also:

• The Pope wants to visit Moscow and Kyiv to try to help end the war

• Preparatory work for "Minsk-3" continues in the Russian Federation: Danilov exposed the insidious plan of the Kremlin

• "The Russian Federation does not give up": Lavrov began again to beg for negotiations regarding Ukraine

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