Trump views the Patriarch of Jerusalem as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia — Ynet
U.S. President Donald Trump is considering involving Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem in the ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
According to the publication, during a meeting at the White House that lasted about 40 minutes, Trump and Theophilos III discussed the possibility of establishing an additional channel of communication between Kyiv and Moscow.
In Washington, officials believe that the Patriarch of Jerusalem holds significant authority in the Orthodox world and can maintain contact with both sides of the conflict.
At the same time, his candidacy is controversial. Theophilos III has not yet recognized the autocephaly of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, granted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2019, and has previously repeatedly taken positions close to those of the Russian Orthodox Church.
According to Ynet, the patriarch also plans to meet with Putin in June. It is precisely this circumstance, according to the publication’s sources, that makes him a potential mediator for contacts between the parties.
During his visit to the White House, Theophilos III awarded Trump the honorary title of “Bearer of the Grand Cross” of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre—one of the highest honors of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Previously, Western media reported on Theophilos III’s longstanding contacts with the Russian Orthodox Church and his regular visits to Russia. After the start of the full-scale invasion, the patriarch also made statements about the alleged oppression of Orthodoxy in Ukraine and spoke out in defense of the Russian Orthodox Church’s positions.
Source: Ynet.
Zelenskyy published an open letter to Putin – full text.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is allegedly ready for negotiations to end the war against Ukraine, but sees no willingness for dialogue on the Ukrainian side.
Putin is not changing course and continues to finance the war.
