Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated yesterday Russia’s hope that Kyiv heeds the advice provided by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Cardinal Parolin had met last week with Ukraine’s leadership, where he explained that Ukraine’s pretend peace formula was “not enough.… I hope that other formulas can be found that allow some glimmer of hope.... Russia cannot not be at the [negotiating] tables.”
Zakharova commented: “Parolin voiced what was obvious to any sensible person from the outset—it is impossible to achieve a long-term and just peace without taking Moscow and its opinion into account. We can only hope that the Cardinal’s arguments have been heard.”
