Russia is reportedly considering Middle Eastern countries like Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman as potential locations for direct negotiations with Ukraine in 2025. Sources familiar with the matter suggest this shift comes as Moscow deems the Vatican an unsuitable mediator.
The Kremlin's reservations about the Vatican stem from its location within a NATO and EU member state. Furthermore, Western sanctions impose travel restrictions on numerous Russian officials, potentially hindering their participation in talks held in Italy.
Despite previous suggestions, including one from Donald Trump following a conversation with Vladimir Putin in May 2025, Russia views the Vatican as an uncomfortable platform, given the predominantly Orthodox Christian backgrounds of both Russia and Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described efforts to coordinate talks at the Vatican as “unrealistic.”