Archbishop Paul Gallagher emphasized that the conflict much be resolved through the political and diplomatic process and for the need to step up cooperation on humanitarian issues.

During his visit to Russia, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican secretary for relations with states and international organizations, reaffirmed the Holy Seeʼs position that the conflict with Ukraine “cannot be resolved by military means.”

The archbishop made the remarks during a press conference following his Aug. 25 meeting in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

As the Vatican Secretariat of State reported Tuesday on X, the men discussed “topics of mutual interest and current international issues, with particular attention to the war in Ukraine and prospects for peace.”

During the event, Gallagher stated that “the Holy Seeʼs position is clear: The conflict cannot be resolved by military means,” adding that “it is essential to create the conditions for a political and diplomatic process.”

“To be clear: This war must end,” he said, noting that “it is urgent and necessary to end the hostilities and plan future relations so as not to remain prisoners of the wrongs of the past.”

He stated that “any concrete result in the humanitarian sphere will contribute to alleviating suffering and help restore a minimum level of trust between the parties to the conflict.”

Lavrov expressed appreciation for the Holy Seeʼs openness to dialogue with Russia and its commitment to peace, Vatican media reported. He also agreed with his Vatican counterpart on the need to step up cooperation on humanitarian issues.

On Aug. 26, Gallagher was scheduled to meet with Yuri Ushakov, foreign policy adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Vatican representative will return to the Vatican on Aug. 28.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.