Vatican Envoy Urges Immediate Peace Talks Between Russia and Ukraine in Moscow

Vatican diplomatic envoy Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States, publicly called on Russia and Ukraine to launch genuine negotiations to end the fighting.

The Vatican representative delivered his remarks in Moscow following official talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, according to TASS on August 25.

In his statements carried by state media, Gallagher emphasized the urgency of concluding the ongoing violence with international backing.

“It is necessary to state clearly that this war must end. For this reason, during our conversation, I reaffirmed Pope Leo XIV's call to end the hostilities and to start authentic negotiations with the support of the international community,” he said.

The Vatican envoy reiterated the Holy See's stance that military action cannot bring an end to the situation.

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“It is necessary to create conditions for serious political and diplomatic work. It is necessary to engage in genuine dialogue and keep in mind that the longer the conflict lasts, the more difficult it will be to achieve an adequate solution, while the suffering of the population will continue and grow,” Gallagher added.

Previously, Pope Leo XIV renewed his appeal for an end to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine during his Sunday prayer.

Expressing solidarity with victims of recent Russian airstrikes across Kyiv and other cities, the pontiff condemned the ongoing destruction, urged an immediate ceasefire, and called on world leaders to abandon the path of weapons in favor of genuine peace negotiations.

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