On September 27th and October 4th, I wrote about the desperate plight of the people trapped in Russian-controlled Oleshky, Ukraine, confined by a blockade that has left them without food, water, medicines, electricity — the most basic necessities of life.

Others have also been moved by this tragedy.

On Friday, Pope Leo XIV — just days after undergoing surgery for the removal of part of one lung — phoned Vladimir Putin to ask him to arrange a ceasefire in order to allow food and other aid into the town to save the lives of the remaining 6,000 residents who otherwise face certain death during the approaching winter.

Following their conversation, the Kremlin released the following statement:

“The Vatican’s intention to help create the conditions necessary to ensure the safety of the town’s population and to organize vital supplies has been supported. It has been agreed to cooperate on this matter.” [Joshua McElwee, Reuters, October 17, 2026.]

No mention was made of a ceasefire. And the language of the statement is not a promise to provide aid, but is intentionally vague and left open to interpretation. It promises merely to “cooperate,” placing the responsibility for organizing the relief operation to the Vatican itself, or whatever other governments or humanitarian aid organizations might step up.

The Pope deserves praise and thanks for coming forward, at a time when he should be thinking of his own recovery, to make this appeal on behalf of the people of Oleshky. I hope he realizes he was speaking to a man with neither heart nor soul, and — while I pray the Pope will somehow have managed to make a difference — I also hope he won’t take it personally if his appeal fails.

Because Vladimir Putin is a man whose promises are worth less than nothing.

Still, I keep hoping that one of these times he’ll prove me wrong.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/18/26