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Vatican Envoy Proposes Mediation for Russia-Ukraine War End, Urges Talks
🇰🇷 South Korea /Conflict & Security

Vatican Envoy Proposes Mediation for Russia-Ukraine War End, Urges Talks

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A Vatican envoy has proposed mediation for an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, urging the initiation of peace talks.
  • Russia's Foreign Minister stated readiness to resume discussions at the deputy foreign minister level.
  • The Vatican emphasizes that the conflict cannot be resolved militarily and calls for genuine negotiations based on international law.

A Vatican envoy has proposed mediation to end the Russia-Ukraine war, urging both sides to begin peace negotiations. Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for the Holy See, met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow to discuss the ongoing conflict and other issues.

We hope for peace as soon as possible and will mediate in any way that can help.

— Archbishop Paul Richard GallagherThe Vatican envoy expressed the Holy See's commitment to mediating an end to the Russia-Ukraine war during a press conference in Moscow.

Gallagher expressed the Holy See's willingness to facilitate dialogue, stating, "We hope for peace as soon as possible and will mediate in any way that can help." He described the talks with Lavrov as "frank and constructive," noting that while significant differences exist, both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining open channels of communication.

The Vatican's position, reiterated by Gallagher, is that the conflict cannot be resolved through military means. He emphasized the necessity of creating conditions for a serious political and diplomatic process, calling on both Russia and Ukraine to demonstrate openness and good faith in dialogue. Peace, he stressed, must be based on full respect for international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

The Holy See's position is clear. This conflict cannot be resolved by military means, and it is essential to create conditions for a serious political and diplomatic process.

— Archbishop Paul Richard GallagherGallagher emphasized the Vatican's stance that a military solution is impossible and stressed the need for diplomatic efforts.

Lavrov, in turn, stated that Russia is prepared to resume discussions at the deputy foreign minister level and engage in tailored consultations at the expert level. He thanked the Vatican for its balanced stance and active involvement in addressing humanitarian issues, expressing hope that the Holy See would also consider Russia's concerns in its contacts with Ukraine.

Peace must be based on full respect for international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

— Archbishop Paul Richard GallagherThe Vatican envoy underscored the foundational principles for any lasting peace agreement.

Gallagher's visit to Moscow, his first official trip to Russia in five years and the first since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, includes meetings with other Russian officials and engagement with the Catholic community.

Russia is prepared to resume discussions at the deputy foreign minister level.

— Sergey LavrovThe Russian Foreign Minister indicated Moscow's willingness to re-engage in high-level political consultations with the Vatican.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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