On July 7, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Olexandr Mischenko met with Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas.

The sides discussed current issues of interaction between Ukraine and the Holy See, as well as the next steps for the development of bilateral dialogue.

Olexandr Mischenko expressed gratitude to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV for his constant attention to Ukraine and the suffering of the Ukrainian people caused by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation. The Deputy Minister also noted the humanitarian initiatives of the Holy See aimed at facilitating the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war, the return of illegally deported Ukrainian children, and the rehabilitation of children affected by the war in Italy.

The Deputy Minister also informed the interlocutor about the intensification of Russian missile terror against Ukraine and its devastating consequences for the civilian population and critical infrastructure. 

The parties paid special attention to certain sensitive issues of the regional agenda related to historical memory. The interlocutors emphasized the importance of reconciliation, mutual understanding, preserving unity and preventing actions that could be used by the aggressor state Russia to weaken international support for Ukraine, and therefore for all of Europe.