The Ukrainian authorities are unaware of the peacekeeping mission in which the Vatican is participating to resolve the country’s ongoing conflict with Russia, an official close to the administration of the president of Ukraine told CNN, the media said on Monday. 

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy did not consent to such discussions on behalf of Ukraine, the source told CNN, adding “if such negotiations are really taking place, Ukraine does not know anything about it”. 

Pope Francis, who was returning to Rome after a visit to Hungary, on Sunday told reporters that the Vatican had been involved in a peacekeeping mission and its details were confidential. 

During his visit to Budapest, the Pope met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who is the only EU member state leader who has maintained ties with Moscow after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year.