Russia and the Vatican engaged in dialogue on Middle East situation

Moscow, Feb 14 (Prensa Latina) Russia and the Vatican are concerned about the situation in the Middle East and are conducting a dialogue on this issue, Russian Ambassador to the Vatican, Ivan Soltanovsky, said in this capital on Wednesday.

February 14, 2024
09:05

“For the Vatican, issues related to the situation in the Middle East have always been a priority. Special attention is paid to this matter in the dialogue,” Soltanovsky told TASS in an interview.

The ambassador stated: Our positions coincide in many respects and added that the current situation in the Gaza Strip is clearly of concern to Russia and the Holy See, so we have prospects for further dialogue on this issue.

Earlier, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin said that the Holy See is ready for any mediation necessary for a settlement in the Middle East.

He condemned the Hamas attack while noting that Israel’s “legitimate self-defense” should not endanger the lives of civilians in the Gaza Strip.

Parolin did not rule out Vatican mediation in talks for releasing hostages.

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