Russia

Vatican calls for dialogue on Ukraine, end to hostilities — diplomatic service head

TASS English · 2026-08-25

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: The Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, Paul Richard Gallagher, called for an end to hostilities in Ukraine and emphasized the need for genuine dialogue supported by the international community during talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. • Why it matters: The Vatican's stance highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and the belief that military solutions are inadequate for resolving the conflict, stressing the urgency for diplomatic efforts. • What to watch next: Monitor developments in international diplomatic efforts regarding Ukraine, particularly any responses from Russia and the international community to the Vatican's call for dialogue.

Military operation in UkraineVatican calls for dialogue on Ukraine, end to hostilities — diplomatic service head The position of the Holy See remains clear: the conflict cannot be resolved by military means, Paul Richard Gallagher notedMOSCOW, August 25. /TASS/. The Vatican calls for a genuine dialogue on the Ukrainian settlement with the support of the international community and an end to hostilities, Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations Paul Richard Gallagher told reporters following talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Gallagher stressed the importance of clearly stating the need to end the conflict, adding that during the conversation with Russia’s top diplomat, he reiterated Pope Leo XIV’s call for an end to hostilities and the beginning of genuine negotiations with the support of the international community. The position of the Holy See remains clear: the conflict cannot be resolved by military means, Gallagher noted, adding that it is necessary to create conditions for serious political and diplomatic work. He also emphasized the fact that the longer the conflict drags on, the more difficult it will be to reach an adequate resolution, with the suffering of the population continuing and intensifying. TagsMilitary operation in UkraineFACTBOX: What we know about detention of Armenia's former president, his sonArmenia's Anti-Corruption Committee accuses Robert Kocharyan of removing a number of valuable real estate properties from state ownership and acquiring them at below-market pricesRead moreUS revokes Syria’s designation as State Sponsor of Terrorism — Treasury DepartmentThe United States also has officially revoked the designation of Syria’s Hay’at Tahrir al-ShamRead moreOver 90 seafarers captured by pirates in Gulf of Aden — IMO chiefShipping challenges are on the rise with the recent increase of piracy incidents in the Gulf of AdenRead moreManturov notes strong Indian interest in SJ-100, Il-114-300 aircraftThe Russian first deputy prime minister also said that a prototype of a high-speed electric train jointly produced by India and Russia will be assembled by the end of this year, after which serial production will beginRead morePutin congratulates Tokayev on Adilet party's victory in parliamentary electionsThe Russian leader stated that he has no doubt that the members of the Kurultai will cooperate fruitfully with Russian parliamentarians to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership Read moreUK regularly adds fuel to fire of Ukrainian conflict — KremlinDmitry Peskov's statement comes following reports about London's plans to transfer data to Kiev for the production of long-range SCALP missiles in UkraineRead moreArmenia’s CSTO future, response to Kiev's strikes on targets in Russia: Kremlin’s briefingDmitry Peskov stressed that Armenia could withdraw from the Collective Security Treaty Organization if it no longer required its membershipRead moreRussia says Zelensky regime murders childrenAll the talk about how they care about their precious little children is shattered by the facts of the Kiev regime’s sophisticated murders of children of all ages, Maria Zakharova stressedRead moreChina opposes unilateral US sanctions — embassy in WashingtonChinese Embassy Spokesman Liu Chang stressed that Beijing will protect Chinese businesses’ legitimate and lawful rights and interestsRead moreRescuers find cabins carrying tourists swept away from thermal springs on SakhalinRescuers landed at the thermal springs and have now set off on foot toward the location where the containers were foundRead moreTanker hit by projectile, disabled off Oman — UKMTOThe crew are safe and no environmental impact has been reportedRead moreUS extends Cuba trade embargo for one yearThe trade embargo, which was due to expire on September 14, has thus been extended through September 14, 2027Read moreIN BRIEF: Ukrainian connection in drone incident in GermanyThe Russian Foreign Intelligence Service questioned whether the German authorities have the political will "to draw impartial conclusions and officially announce them"Read moreIn calls with foreign leaders, Trump demands that they cut ties with Iran — BessentUS Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent refused to name those who received calls from the USRead moreTrade between Russia, India rises 8% in first half of yearPositive momentum was recorded in both Russian exports and imports from India, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov saidRead moreGazprom Arena says Kanye West concert is a no-go as no deal existsGazprom Arena hasn't entered into any agreements to rent the stadium for the eventRead moreUN calls for end to attacks on civilians after Ukrainian strike on Krasnodar RegionThree children were killed as a result of the attack a private children’s facilityRead moreRussian planes drops almost 800 tons of water of wildfire hotspots in Serbia in four daysSerbian emergency specialists noted the high efficiency of Russian aerial operationsRead moreRussia’s Uraldronzavod manufacturer develops Upyr-K fixed-wing droneThe main distinguishing feature of the Upyr-K is its operational range, the manufacturer saidRead moreUN states 119% growth in casualties among civilians in RussiaIn total, from January to July 2026, Russian authorities reported 329 civilians killed and 2,197 injured in the Russian Federation, Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo said Read moreRussia, India discuss cooperation in manned spaceflight — ManturovThe Russian first deputy prime minister added that Russia and India are discussing potential cooperation in civil aircraft manufacturingRead moreRussia-India business cooperation has grown significantly — foreign ministerIndian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is on an official visit to Russia on August 23-24 at the invitation of Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis ManturovRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup North destroys 245 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over past dayThe Ukrainian military lost up to 235 personnel and 11 vehicles over the past 24 hoursRead moreArmenia to soon begin process of applying for EU membership — PMNikol Pashinyan has reiterated that a referendum makes sense when the discussion of the issue has reached a turning pointRead moreUkraine requests Patriot missiles from South Korea — newspaperThe request was denied on August 10Read moreRussian Battlegroup North units push Ukrainian forces back from state border — top brassThe battlegroup's service members continue creating a security zone in the Sumy and Kharkov RegionsRead moreSerbian justice minister asks Hague-based mechanism to release MladicAccording to Nenad Vujic, Serbia has offered to transfer Ratko Mladic to the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade for treatment in the presence of his relatives, subject to "any measures that the Mechanism deems necessary"Read moreVenezuela earthquake death toll exceeds 6,500More than 25,000 homes sustained significant damageRead moreRussian troops liberate three communities in Ukraine operation over past day — top brassThe Ukrainian army lost roughly 1,400 troops in battles with Russian forces in all the frontline areas over the past 24 hoursRead moreIsrael won't put up with Turkey's military presence in Syria — NetanyahuThe Israeli prime minister said that the prior warnings on the issue were not heard "clearly enough"Read moreNighttime drone attack on Krasnodar Region kills two, injures twoA fire was reported at an oil refinery in the region after drone debris fell thereRead moreFACTBOX: Two deaths, fire at oil refinery in southern Russia, aftermath of Kiev’s strikeDuring the past night, alert air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 148 Ukrainian aerial targets, the Russian Defense Ministry reportedRead moreRussian UAV operators devise method against Ukrainian airborne EW systems — soldierAccording to the soldier, an electronic warfare system mounted on a Baba-Yaga drone did not prevent unmanned aerial vehicle operators of the Battlegroup Dnepr from completing their combat missionRead moreTop Russian, Indian diplomats discuss Ukraine, Iran, AfghanistanThe top Indian diplomat is visiting Russia to hold a meeting of the Russian-Indian intergovernmental commission on trade-an-economic, scientific-and-technical, and cultural cooperation Read moreUkraine’s population goes from 52 mil in 1991 to 25 mil today — Zelensky’s ex-spokespersonYulia Mendel said that Ukraine has lost more than 50% of its populationRead moreKazakhstan to cut 2026 oil output target due to CPC attacksKazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said the revised target now stands at 96 mln metric tonsRead moreRussian banks’ net profit rises 18% in July to $5.28 bln — Bank of RussiaExpenses declined mainly in the corporate segment by 77%Read moreIBU Congress to 'formally handle' next month issue of Russia’s return to int’l arenaThe IBU Congress will be held on September 17-20 in Berchtesgaden, GermanyRead moreRussian expert points at lack of substantive agenda for Witkoff, Kushner’s visitAccording to Ivan Timofeyev, the fact that Russian-US consultations and opinion exchanges are ongoing is a good thing, but they don't seem to yield any practical resultsRead morePutin signs decree on measures to protect critical infrastructureAccording to the decree, the Russian government may assume temporary control over critical infrastructure sites, when owners neglect security protocols or delay necessary repairsRead moreIranian speaker accuses US of violating deal with Iran, undermining regional stabilityAccording to the Tasnim news agency, Ghalibaf stressed during the meeting that "Iran rejects any pressure and is seeking to ensure compliance with the terms of the memorandum of understanding"Read moreDeath toll in Houthi strike on Tihama rises to sixAnother 10 people were injuredRead moreCoalition of the Willing announces plans to send troops to UkraineThe exact presumed number of troops was again not disclosedRead moreIN BRIEF: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on EU membership bid, CSTO withdrawalArmenia may leave the CSTO if Yerevan no longer needs its membership, Dmitry Peskov saidRead moreRussian stock market rises at start of trading sessionAs of 10:00 Moscow time, the MOEX and RTS indices increased by 1.09%Read moreTrump loses trade war with Canada — The AtlanticAccording to the article, the pressure directed at Ottawa has not proven effectiveRead moreRussian troops develop methods to bypass Ukrainian EW systems — soldierRussian developers track which frequencies are being jammed, switch to a different frequency, reflash the system, and the control works better, the soldier saidRead moreBulgarian PM highlights that Coalition of the Willing not backed by entire EUThere are fewer than you can count on two hands, Rumen Radev saidRead morePress Review: EU boosts arms aid to Ukraine as India bolsters Russia ties amid US pressureTop stories from the Russian press on Tuesday, August 25thRead moreUS ready to help facilitate Russia-Ukraine talks — deputy envoy to UNDan Negrea also called on Russia and Ukraine to return to the negotiating tableRead moreRussia, Ukraine hold 'ten-for-ten' prisoner swap in Belarus — TVAccording to the report, the humanitarian mission was conducted in strict compliance with the norms of the international lawRead moreUS should comply with bilateral memo in practice — Iran’s national security councilIran has no trust in the United States, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei said Read moreTrade between Russia, India has increased this year — PutinThe Russian president stressed that the Indian foreign minister’s current visit to Moscow underscores the level of relations that Russia and India have built over decadesRead moreIndian foreign minister points to huge potential for trade growth with RussiaThe partnership between Russia and India has consistently demonstrated adaptability, flexibility, and strength, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar saidRead moreChinese envoy hails Moscow Zoo for creating great atmosphere for pandasZhang Hanhui also congratulated panda Katyusha on her birthdayRead moreMusk says humanity disappearing amid Singapore birth rate declineThus Elon Musk commented on news about new measures to support population growth in SingaporeRead moreRussia could localize nuclear fuel production in India — ManturovThe successful experience of cooperation on the Kudankulam NPP project provides a foundation for deeper cooperation in nuclear energy, the Russian first deputy prime minister saidRead moreUkraine becomes key 'exporter of instability' in Middle East — Russian diplomatRussian Ambassador to Israel Anatoly Viktorov highlighted that the Kiev regime brazenly violated all the norms of international lawRead moreUkrainian drone teams set up shop in Konstantinovka residential areas — refugeesAccording to the refugees, the Ukrainian drone operators launched Baba-Yaga hexacopters most frequentlyRead moreWest seeks to create flashpoints along Russia’s borders, Medvedev saysThe Russian Security Council deputy chairman said that it had been going on for centuriesRead moreUS Apache helicopters involved in five major crashes this year — TVOne of them included a fatal crash that claimed the lives of two people on board and sparked a wildfireRead moreDamascus expects US to lift all remaining Syria sanctionsEarlier, Asaad al-Shaibani, foreign minister in the transitional government, stressed that Damascus expected a strategic partnership with Washington to deepenRead moreWest turns Ukraine into 'frontier country' making money on war — economistOleg Pendzin noted that Ukraine exists solely through financial injections, aid, mercenaries, and weaponryRead moreUK to gain access to Ukrainian battlefield data for AI trainingThe UK will initially use the data to support the defense and national security of both countriesRead moreRussian MP condemns Kiev’s strike on Krasnodar Region as 'PR built on blood'According to Leonid Slutsky, Europe keeps turning a blind eye to Zelensky’s crimes and "continues using Ukraine as a foothold for a proxy war against Russia"Read moreRussian military satellite delivered into target orbit — Defense MinistryAccording to the report, stable telemetry communication has been established and is maintained with the satelliteRead moreLavrov, top Vatican diplomat to hold first Moscow talks since start of special opThe sides will discuss international issues and prospects for bilateral cooperation, the Russian Foreign Ministry saidRead moreWhat we know about Ukrainian drone attack on Krasnodar Region, three children killedA warehouse operated by Russian e-commerce company Ozon came under attack in KrasnodarRead moreCovert mobilization of women underway in Ukraine — underground resistanceDocument checks of women are already underway, territorial recruitment centers are compiling lists, and universities and employers are providing data, first and foremost on medical workers and pharmacists, a pro-Russian underground resistance source saidRead moreUS offers to lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for opening Strait of Hormuz — TVAccording to the TV channel, this proposal was conveyed to the Iranian side by Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir during his visit to IranRead moreIranian army commander says country won't back down from anyone, everThe Iranian armed forces will retaliate to any aggression and will resolutely defend the country’s independence, territorial integrity, and security, Amir Hatami saidRead moreWest not going to invest in Ukraine’s economic development — Ukrainian economistOleg Pendzin noted that Europe needs Ukraine as "a shield"Read moreRussia-China freight on Russian Railways network hits record 114 mln tons in 7 monthsContainer traffic reached 2.1 mln TEUs, an increase of 12.5%Read moreSome half of Russian POWs interviewed by UN report torture in UkraineAll prisoners of war must be treated humanely, UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo saidRead moreGerman foreign minister acknowledges funding shortfall for military aid to UkraineJohann Wadephul said he had discussed the matter in detail with Ukraine's new defense ministerRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup South destroys 87 Ukrainian fixed-wing UAVs over past dayThe battlegroup’s spokesman added that over the past 24 hours, unmanned systems units in the Kramatorsk and Slavyansk sectors destroyed 49 Ukrainian UAV communication antennas and 31 ground robotic systemsRead moreUkrainian attacks affect over 400 people, including 21 children, in past week — MFARussian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik specified that 407 people, or 99% of the total number of casualties, were affected by attack dronesRead moreParty radio debates ahead of State Duma elections begin in RussiaTelevision debates will begin on August 31Read moreKiev to continue feeling consequences for its attacks — KremlinDmitry Peskov recalled Vladimir Putin’s words that the Kiev regime itself had opened Pandora’s boxRead moreBank of Russia raises dollar rate to 83.29 rubles for August 25The official euro exchange rate was raised by 57.83 kopecks to 97.4384 rublesRead moreNATO remains hostile bloc for Russia, continues to expand — MedvedevThe politician stressed that Moscow needed guarantees from NATO that no other states would attack Russia and that all hostile actions against the country would ceaseRead moreRussian household bank funds rise by 0.3% in July amid high demand for cashOn an annual basis, household funds held in banks increased by 9.5% in July, reaching $815.74 blnRead moreWith attacks on homes Kiev admits it is unable to reclaim Donbass, Novorossiya — activistAccording to Anton Bibarov-Gosudarev, recent assaults on a residential building and the United Russia party headquarters in Melitopol, Zaporozhye, underscore this strategyRead moreKiev not to be able to use SCALP missiles effectively without US’ approval — expertSecurity and defense analyst Michael Clarke noted that SCALP depended on MALD missiles manufactured by the US corporation RaytheonRead moreGazprom Arena website back online, shows no Kanye West concerts upcomingThe event organizers, Say Agency, denied the cancellation, clarifying that they learned about Gazprom Arena's decision from the mediaRead moreIranian parliament speaker dismisses US threats to Iran’s trading partners"Americans know that no one buys their bombast," Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf saidRead moreEuropean countries arm Ukraine, encourage rejection of Minsk accords — envoy to UNVasily Nebenzya noted that these countries "watched with delight and eager anticipation," looking forward to Russia's "strategic defeat"Read moreAfD to withdraw Germany from eurozone, Schengen Agreement if comes to power - leaderGermany was much better off before the introduction of the euro, co-chair of the Alternative for Germany Alice Weidel saidRead moreRussian forces mop up large area near Zaporozhye Region's Dolinka — expertAndrey Marochko also said that Russian servicemen have almost mopped up Malye Shcherbaki, Mirnoye and Nesteryanka, which are located close to DolinkaRead moreTop Iraqi diplomat meets with Rosoboronexport CEO, military cooperation service chiefFuad Hussein welcomed the Russian delegation, stressing the importance of ties between Iraq and RussiaRead moreKremlin calls rumors about mobilization in Russia fake news spread by KievDmitry Peskov stressed that the Kiev regime attempted to ideologically destabilize the situation in RussiaRead moreFormer US envoy on Ukraine Kellog calls for mobilization of women in UkraineAccording to Keith Kellogg, it is very important that women, as part of society, on into serviceRead moreBessent threatens to deny access to dollar to countries that fail to join US sanctionsUS Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent did not elaborate when the new sectoral sanctions on Iran will come into forceRead moreImports of new EVs to Russia more than double in July to 1,200 — AutostatImports of new electric vehicles to Russia increased by 116.5% in July 2026 compared with the same month last yearRead moreGerman law enforcement discovers third drone near Leipzig/Halle Airport — newspaperThe discovery of the first two drones dates back to August 4Read moreIran was prepared for US sanctions, has plan to address them — ministerThe country's government had planned in advance how to counter US sanctionsRead moreBattlegroup North drones destroy Ukrainian Bomber, Vampire hexacopters near SumyThe UAVs have been destroyed by a single UAV crewRead moreCoalition of the Willing has no exit strategy for Ukrainian conflict — European MP"Europe is becoming more and more willing to arm itself instead of engaging in diplomatic efforts," Danilo Della Valle addedRead moreRussia’s Battlegroup East destroys 36 Ukrainian drone control posts over past dayThe Ukrainian military lost over 315 personnel, an armored personnel carrier and two armored combat vehicles over the past 24 hoursRead moreUkraine needs transitional administration, not just elections — ex-PMNikolay Azarov noted that if elections were held under Ukraine's current political conditions, manipulation and fraud would allow representatives of the existing regime to come to power againRead moreUS military transport plane lands in MoscowThe aircraft departed from Andrews Air Force Base near WashingtonRead more

Source: TASS English
RELATED NEWS

More Stories

All News
Russia

Belarus to hold Air Force and Air Defense drills with 2nd phase at Russian practice range

• What happened: Belarus announced it will conduct Air Force and Air Defense drills from August 25 to September 10, 2026, with a second phase at a Russian pract...

Russia

Senior Vatican Official Calls for Peace in Ukraine After Meeting With Lavrov in Moscow

• What happened: A senior Vatican official, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, called for an end to the war in Ukraine after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Serge...

Russia

Vatican calls for respecting rights of prisoners of war — head of diplomatic service

• What happened: The Vatican's Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Paul Richard Gallagher, called for the respect of prisoners of war and adherence to internati...

Russia

Russia thanks Vatican for its balanced position on Ukraine — Lavrov

• What happened: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed gratitude to the Vatican for its balanced stance on the Ukraine conflict and its humanitarian ...

Russia

IN BRIEF: Kremlin Spokesman Peskov on US aircraft in Moscow, Ukrainian settlement terms

• What happened: Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov addressed various topics including the landing of a US aircraft in Moscow, the upcoming meeting between Russian...

Russia

Russia gives Vatican report on Kiev's unlawful actions against Ukrainian church — Lavrov

• What happened: Russia's Foreign Ministry delivered a report to the Vatican detailing alleged unlawful actions by the Kiev regime against the Ukrainian Or...