Vatican and Russian diplomats discuss ending war in Ukraine

Destroyed buildings in Kharkiv, 4 April 2025. Photo: Vatican News

On Friday, 4 April 2025, a telephone conversation took place between Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, and Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. According to the Vatican Press Office, the diplomats gave particular attention to the situation in Ukraine.

“The dialogue was dedicated to the overall picture of world politics, with particular attention to the situation of the war in Ukraine and some initiatives aimed at stopping the military actions,” the press release stated.

It was noted that the Vatican reaffirmed its readiness to continue its humanitarian effort I matters regarding the exchange of prisoners.

As previously reported by the UOJ, on 17 March 2025, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, expressed hope that ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia would lead to a just and lasting peace.

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