The situation in Ukraine will become one of the Central themes of the meeting of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pope Francis at the Vatican, scheduled for June 10, said Assistant head of the Russian Federation Yuri Ushakov.

"Will discuss bilateral relations and current international issues, for example - the Situation in Ukraine, the situation of Christians in the middle East, the need for protection of their interests," Ushakov said at a press conference in the Russian capital. He noted that in the process of discussing the situation in Ukraine has the opportunity to be touched upon the aspect of activity in this country the so-called Uniates. Responding to a question about that, will discuss whether Putin and Pope Francis the opportunity of the Pope's visit to the Russian Federation, aide to the President said, it is not only political.

"Will talking about the Pope's visit, I don't know, as this issue concerns not only the country but also of our Church hierarchy," said Ushakov.

Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation explained that the political dialogue between Russia and the Vatican is of a permanent nature." The official attitude is established in March 1990, diplomatic - December 9, 2009. Putin met with Pope Francis in November 2013, as well as before - with John Paul II in 2000 and 2003 and Benedict XVI in March 2007, " said Ushakov.

according to his statement, the Russian Federation and the Vatican interact effectively in multilateral organizations - the UN, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, " occupy similar positions on topical international problems ".

Russian Catholic community is believed to number 600 thousand believers. The head of the Department for external Church relations of Moscow Patriarchate, Metropolitan Hilarion wished to visit Rome, 24-27 June to participate in the meeting of the Orthodox-Catholic dialogue." Implemented projects in the field of culture. Preparing an art exhibition " Paintings of biblical scenes from the museums of Russia and the Vatican, identify its main exposure for 2016-2017 in the Vatican museums, the capital of Russia and St. Petersburg ", - said the Kremlin authorized.

sections: Politics