A temporary ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia has gone into effect, marking a pause in a war that has stretched beyond three years. As diplomatic efforts continue, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has renewed his claims that NATO bears responsibility for the conflict, arguing that Ukraine has been used as a tool in a Western proxy war against Russia.
Viganò, a frequent critic of globalist influence in geopolitical affairs, reiterated his stance that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy should not be a central figure in peace negotiations. He asserted that Ukraine has acted as NATO’s “battering ram” and questioned Zelenskyy’s influence over the conflict, suggesting that if he played no role in its initiation, he has no place in determining its resolution.
His position aligns with Viganò’s past accusations that Western elites, particularly in the U.S. and EU, have manipulated Ukraine to escalate tensions with Russia. NATO, however, maintains that Russia’s invasion was unprovoked and that Ukraine has every right to defend itself.
Zelenskyy recently described himself as “exchangeable” in Ukraine’s push for NATO membership, a remark that has further fueled discussions about Ukraine’s dependency on Western alliances. His role in negotiations remains unclear as Ukraine and Russia observe the ceasefire.
Beyond Ukraine, Viganò also questioned broader U.S. foreign policy, particularly President Donald Trump’s approach. While Trump has been working toward peace in Ukraine, Viganò pointed to U.S. military actions in the Middle East, asking why a different strategy is being pursued there.
The archbishop also highlighted the ongoing persecution of Christians in regions affected by conflict. He warned that Western-backed military actions have contributed to the suffering of Christian populations in Syria and Gaza, criticizing what he sees as global indifference to their plight.
As the ceasefire holds, the focus remains on whether this temporary truce will lead to lasting negotiations or if the situation will deteriorate once again. NATO has yet to signal whether its commitments to Ukraine will shift in response to this development.
