Ukraine backs Pope’s Olympic truce call amid war with Russia

Ukraine backs Pope’s Olympic truce call amid war with Russia

On February 7, 2026, Ukraine’s government publicly supported a proposal by Pope Leo and Italy to establish a temporary ceasefire during the Winter Olympics in Italy. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine backed a United Nations resolution outlining the truce and stated that Russia must now respond.

The call for an Olympic truce refers to the ancient tradition of suspending hostilities during the staging of the Games. The war between Russia and Ukraine, which began in February 2022, continues with active combat and territorial disputes.

Sybiha noted that the United States has facilitated discussions aimed at achieving a peace settlement and that a temporary pause in fighting could open opportunities for broader negotiations.