The Vatican has supported the Ukrainian peace formula in the context of humanitarian support and the return of Ukrainian prisoners and children home. Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Secretary of State of Vatican City, said this in an address to the participants of the third meeting on Ukraine’s peace plan in Malta.
“Pope Francis has renewed the call for peace with unprecedented persistence, both in his countless speeches and through his actions in support of Ukraine… Finding a solution is not only Ukraine’s responsibility but also a shared responsibility,” Parolin said.
Now even greater and more creative “efforts at all levels” are needed because Ukraine is currently unable to protect the integrity of its territory, provide its citizens with security and basic necessities of life, and achieve peace, the Vatican representative added.
The previous two meetings on the peace formula in Denmark and Saudi Arabia are “commendable efforts that deserve support,” the Vatican stated. Such attempts by Ukraine to restore peace encourage “not to consider armed confrontation as an inevitable tool for resolving conflicts,” Parolin said.
The Vatican assured of its support “in addressing humanitarian issues, such as food security and environmental protection.” In addition, the Cardinal Secretary of State of Vatican City declared his readiness “to continue his efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Ukrainian people and to return prisoners and children to Ukraine.”
On October 28-29, Malta hosted the third meeting of national security advisors on the Ukrainian peace formula, with over 65 countries joining the summit. Among various initiatives, the Canadian delegation suggested establishing an international coalition of nations to aid in the repatriation of Ukrainian children who have been deported or forcibly displaced by Russia from Ukraine’s temporarily occupied regions.
Cover: Riccardo Antimiani/Ansa
