Ukrainian FM thanks Vatican official who visited Moscow for support

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held a phone conversation with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See’s Secretary for Relations with States, following his return from Moscow. Ukraine’s ambassador to the Vatican, Andrii Yurash, reported this on Facebook.

The foreign minister briefed Gallagher in detail on the consequences of overnight air attacks on Ukrainian cities. He also pointed to the continuing threats facing civilians.

Sybiha expressed deep gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for his Independence Day greetings to Ukraine. The minister also thanked the pontiff for his continued calls for a just peace and his solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“We highly appreciate His Holiness’s attention to Ukraine. We also thank the pontiff for raising his voice in support of a just and lasting peace.”

During the conversation, the two sides discussed in detail the implementation of bilateral agreements reached during Gallagher’s recent visit to Ukraine. They also outlined further concrete steps to develop bilateral cooperation.

As the UOJ reported, the head of the UGCC compared the Vatican secretary’s visit to Moscow to a descent into hell.