Tim Daniels
(ZENIT News / New York, 25.09.2022).- The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that, in the meeting held on Thursday, September 22, –in the context of the 77th UN General Assembly, although not part of its official agenda–, between the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the Russian Foreign Affairs Minister, Sergey Lavrov, the discussion focused on the situation in Ukraine.
“During the conversation the [Russian] Minister explained the reasons for the present crisis in relations between Russia and the West, the result [he said] of NATO’s ‘crusade’ to destroy Russia and divide the world. The measures adopted by our country are geared to guarantee independence and security, as well as to counteract the United States’ hegemonic aspirations to control all world processes,” stated a press release of the Russian Federation.
Also discussed were the independence referendums in some regions of Ukraine. “Lavrov explained that the coming referendums in the regions of the Donetsk and Lugansk, Zaporozhye and Kherson People’s Republics comply fully with International Law and are the realization of the legitimate rights of the inhabitants of these territories to self-determination and to organize their life in keeping with their civilizational, cultural and religious traditions.”
Finally, the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry highlighted “the productive unfolding of the Russian-Vatican dialogue, including at the highest levels, both on inter-State lines as well as between the Churches.” Also addressed was a “series of current issues [regarding] bilateral and international cooperation.” The Holy See did not issue a press release about this, although the international press pointed out the face-to-face meeting as a possible Vatican mediation in the conflict.
Russian Patriarch Calls for Support of the War
Meanwhile, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow exhorted Russian men to remain faithful to the end, in the context of the obligatory recruitment of 300,000 men for the Army. It’s a measure of Putin to continue the war in Ukraine.
