PM Shmyhal asks Pope for help in returning children deported by Russia

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Pope Francis discussed the peace formula and the assistance in returning Ukrainian children deported by Russia during a meeting in the Vatican.

"I asked His Holiness for help in returning home Ukrainians, Ukrainian children who are detained, arrested, deported to Russia in a criminal way," Shmyhal said at a press conference in Rome, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The Head of Government noted that he discussed the peace formula proposed by President Zelensky and a possible way to implement it, as well as the Vatican's help in this matter, with the Pope.

"I also invited His Holiness to personally visit Ukraine," the Prime Minister added.

As reported, Shmyhal arrived in Italy on Wednesday, April 26. In Rome, he took part in a bilateral conference on the reconstruction of Ukraine and had meetings with the president, the head of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic, and the heads of the chambers of the Italian parliament.

Pope Francis received Shmyhal on April 27, on the eve of his apostolic visit to Hungary.