Pope Francis says Orbán told him in a meeting that Russia allegedly plans to end the war by May 9

Pope Francis says that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán told him in a meeting that Russia allegedly plans to end the war by May 9 — pontifex an interview with Corriere della Sera

Pope Francis said he hoped the war would end by that date. "Because now it's not just Donbas, it's Crimea, it's Odesa, it's taking away the Black Sea port from Ukraine ... I'm pessimistic, but we must do everything possible to stop the war," said the Pope.

We remind that the head of the Catholic Church met with Victor Orbán on April 22.

In an interview, the Pope also said that he has no plans to visit Kyiv yet, as he first wants to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The end of the war by May 9?

The day before, Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, said that the occupiers' goal is to win by May 9, but they won't be able to achieve it. Budanov believes Russia is now preparing to openly declare the mobilization of people for war against Ukraine on Victory Day.

Russia also doesn't talk about ending the war before May 9. Yesterday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indirectly acknowledged that Russia won't get victories in the war against Ukraine by May 9. He said Russia is focusing on Putin's tasks "for the security of the civilian population" and "will not artificially adjust their actions to a particular date, including Victory Day," Lavrov said.