On 10 January, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Olexandr Mischenko, met with the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Visvaldas Kulbokas.

Olexandr Mischenko thanked the Holy See for the humanitarian aid to our country, provided, in particular, through Catholic organizations. In this context, he noted the positive work of the representatives of the Community of Saint Egidius in Kyiv and Lviv.

The conversation also focused on the recent visit of the Head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, Epiphany, to the Vatican and his audience with Pope Francis. The interlocutors agreed this event marked a new stage in relations between Ukraine and the Holy See.

The parties discussed the progress of the mission of Cardinal Matteo Zuppi regarding the return of deported Ukrainian children and prisoners of war and efforts aimed at achieving more significant results in this priority direction.

During the conversation, Olexandr Mischenko reiterated the earlier invitation extended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, to the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations, Paul Richard Gallagher, to visit Ukraine in the nearest future.

The interlocutors agreed to continue maintaining regular contacts at all levels to further strengthen relations between Ukraine and the Holy See.