The Vatican Secretary of State stated that the Holy See has always adhered to a policy of neutrality

Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin commented on statements by representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church that the Vatican is not a neutral platform for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Parolin noted that the Vatican has always adhered to a policy of neutrality. This was reported by Vatican News.

«We have always tried, while calling things by their proper names, to remain close to both sides and, above all, to help find a way to resolve the conflict. I understand that this may be a problem for them, in the sense that, as they also explained, we are talking about two Orthodox countries, and the fact that two Orthodox countries must ultimately find a common ground in the Catholic reality may create certain difficulties. Otherwise, I don’t think the Vatican can be accused of not being neutral,» — Parolin said.

Earlier, the head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Russian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Anthony of Volokolamsk, explained why the Vatican cannot be considered a neutral platform for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. According to the bishop, the main problem in this case and in relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church is the existence of a structure of Ukrainian Greek Catholics who are causing great harm to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.