Vatican and Russia Hold Rare Moscow Talks on Ukraine Peace

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, in Moscow on Tuesday for a rare high-level diplomatic encounter. The two officials, accompanied by their delegations, held discussions before addressing the media in a joint briefing.

Archbishop Gallagher emphasized the importance of dialogue in the current international climate, stating that the world has a greater need for diplomacy than ever. He noted that the conversation with Lavrov focused on "possible avenues for pursuing just and lasting peace" in Ukraine, as well as addressing the humanitarian concerns arising from the conflict.

Gallagher highlighted the ongoing toll of the war, which he said continues to expand after more than four years of hostilities. He pointed to the growing number of victims, divided families, and the deep material and psychological consequences affecting millions in both Ukraine and Russia. "Let us be clear, this war must end," he said.

Lavrov, for his part, thanked the Vatican delegation for what he described as a "balanced stance" on the situation in and around Ukraine. He reiterated Russia's fundamental approach to resolving the crisis by addressing what he called its root causes. The Russian minister also raised recent attacks in the Krasnodar region, Adygea, and Dagestan, which he described as a "bloody crime" involving civilian casualties.

This visit marks Gallagher's first trip to Moscow since November 2021, when he met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Lavrov, and the then-head of the Moscow Patriarchate's external church relations department.