VATICAN CITY – The Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, emphasized that peace negotiations in Ukraine can only proceed once Russia ceases its aggressive actions.
According to Philippines News Agency, the path to a ceasefire in Ukraine necessitates an environment conducive to diplomatic discussions, explicitly stating that the onus is on the aggressor, Russia, to halt military operations. This statement follows a controversial comment by Pope Francis suggesting Ukraine should initiate peace talks, which drew sharp criticism from Ukrainian officials and led to a meeting with the papal nuncio to address their concerns.
Attempting to alleviate the tension arising from Pope Francis's comments, Parolin articulated that the Pope's call aims to foster conditions conducive to a diplomatic resolution that secures a just and sustainable peace. The Secretary of State expressed the Vatican's concern regarding the potential expansion of the conflict and unequivocally identified Russia as the aggressor in the situation, underscoring Russia's responsibility to make diplomatic overtures to conclude the war.
Beyond the conflict in Ukraine, Parolin drew parallels to the strife in Gaza, noting the commonalities between the two crises, such as their excessive escalation, lack of resolution, widespread impact, and the necessity for earnest negotiations to find solutions. He expressed apprehension over the deep-seated animosity the conflicts are breeding, questioning the feasibility of reconciling the profound grievances they have spawned.