Vatican City, Apr 7, 2022 / 10:34 am
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, has reiterated that Ukraine has a “legitimate” right to defend itself from Russian aggression, but he also has warned that weapons being sent there by other countries could lead to a “terrible” escalation of the war.
“Ukraine is resisting Russia based on this principle,” Parolin said in a recent exclusive interview with CNA, referring to the right of self defense.
“The international community wants to avoid an escalation, and so far, no one has personally intervened, but I see that many are sending weapons. This is terrible to think. It could cause an escalation that cannot be controlled,” he said. “However, the principle of legitimate defense remains.”
Parolin’s comments underscore the Holy See’s efforts to show solidarity with Ukraine and the innocent civilians caught up in the war, while simultaneously condemning the outbreak of violence there and working diplomatically to bring a halt to the fighting.