Pope Leo says Oleshky ceasefire should lead to wider peace efforts

Russia and Ukraine agreed to a six-day ceasefire around Oleshky, a town in Ukraine’s Kherson region under Russian occupation.

The truce was arranged to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations from the frontline town.

Residents had faced shortages of food and medicine, and the operation delivered essential supplies and gave people a chance to leave.

US First Lady Melania Trump brokered the ceasefire, while accounts differ on whether Pope Leo played a direct part in arranging it.

The Pope said the cooperation that made the operation possible could encourage dialogue and new concrete peace initiatives.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said peace negotiators are expected to hold fresh talks in early November.