Cardinal Parolin says it’s up to Russia to initiate a “ceasefire”

The war in Ukraine has now reached 1,000 days. A fact that the top diplomat of the Holy See hopes will provoke “a jolt of responsibility” to stop, as he defined, “this carnage.”

The cardinal pointed out in an interview that a just peace takes time, but that a cease-fire is possible. However, he affirmed that it is up to Russia to take the first step, since they were the ones who started the conflict.

These statements took place a few hours after the breaking news in the United States. Joe Biden authorised Ukraine to use long-range US missiles for the first time.

This is an action that Zelenskyy had been requesting for some time, but that the White House rejected in order to avoid an escalation of the conflict. Biden’s green light comes after Russia’s decision to incorporate more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers into the war.

This policy change, moreover, comes just two months before Donald Trump takes office. The incoming president promised on the campaign trail that he would further limit support for Ukraine.