Vatican offers to host Ukraine-Russia talks, urges swift peace
The Vatican on Tuesday repeated an offer to host peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
Secretary of State Pietro Parolin reiterated an offer made by Pope Leo XIV to hold meetings between the warring countries in a "neutral, protected venue."
At the same time, according to a report by the Italian news agency ANSA, the cardinal made it clear that the Vatican did not necessarily see itself as a mediator in the talks, and that any mediation "must be requested by the parties."
Parolin pointed out that other locations such as Geneva were also under discussion.
"It is not important where the negotiations between Russians and Ukrainians — negotiations we all hope for — will take place. What truly matters is that these negotiations finally begin, because it is urgent to stop the war," he said.
So far, there is no date for new talks, though it has been suggested there could be a meeting in the Vatican in mid-June.
During the war, which has now been ongoing for more than three years, the Holy See under the late pope Francis repeatedly attempted to mediate, but without much success.
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