Pentagon Chief in the Vatican: The war in Ukraine will end with negotiations

The Vatican. Photo: strana.today

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin suggested the possibility of ending the war in Ukraine through negotiations. The Pentagon's press service published a readout following Austin's meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican.

The participants discussed common global security challenges and the importance of promoting peace and stability in conflict-affected regions.

Austin emphasized the need to reduce tensions in the Middle East and to address the situation in Ukraine.

"We need to reduce tensions in the Middle East and find a way to achieve a transition period in Ukraine. We will continue to support Ukraine, as we have said, and they will determine when it is time to sit down at the negotiating table. But, I've said it before, this conflict will end with negotiations at some point," Austin told reporters in Rome.

As previously reported by UOJ, Pope Francis stated that war is always a defeat.

Read also