Lavrov Told the Vatican About Human Rights Violations in Ukraine
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that human rights, particularly religious rights, are allegedly being violated in Ukraine. However, the Russian diplomat did not provide any evidence to support his claims.
According to Lavrov, during a conversation with the Vatican’s head of diplomacy, Paul Richard Gallagher, he raised the issue of respect for human rights and religious freedoms in Ukraine.
“I asked the Vatican representative to what extent they respect these very human rights, particularly religious rights. And he said that this is not good,” Lavrov stated.
At the same time, the Russian foreign minister did not provide any specific facts or documentary evidence to support the claim that Gallagher had allegedly agreed with Moscow’s statements.
Lavrov also claimed that he asked the Vatican representative to “convey the appropriate message” to Kyiv during future contacts with the Ukrainian authorities.
The Russian minister noted that Paul Richard Gallagher had recently visited Ukraine. According to Lavrov, he inquired whether the Vatican representative had raised the issues discussed by the Russian side during his trip.
“And I asked whether they had raised these topics, since the Vatican follows all developments in the global religious community and across all world religions. And they couldn’t have been unaware of what’s happening… He admitted that he didn’t have enough time,” Lavrov said.
Thus, it does not follow from Lavrov’s own statement that Gallagher conveyed any of Moscow’s complaints to the Ukrainian authorities. The Russian minister merely asserts that the Vatican diplomat did not have time to raise these issues during his visit.
Paul Richard Gallagher has not publicly stated that the Ukrainian authorities systematically violate human rights or persecute believers.
In his public statements regarding Ukraine, the Vatican representative has primarily spoken about the need to end the war, establish peace, provide humanitarian aid, and protect the civilian population.
In February 2025, Gallagher called for an end to the war in Ukraine and emphasized the importance of dialogue and humanitarian efforts.
And in September 2025, during the UN General Assembly, he called the war in Ukraine one of the most painful crises and advocated for its end. At the same time, Gallagher spoke of the need to protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian law, without accusing Ukraine of systematic human rights violations.
In July 2026, Paul Richard Gallagher visited Ukraine, specifically Kyiv and Berdychiv.
Vatican News described his trip as a mission during which the Vatican diplomat spoke about the suffering of Ukrainians and the need to establish peace.
At the same time, Gallagher’s public statements do not corroborate Lavrov’s claims regarding Ukraine’s alleged systematic violations of human rights and religious freedoms.
This is reported by Russian media.
On August 25, the Vatican’s top diplomat, Paul Richard Gallagher, met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. The parties discussed the war against Ukraine and agreed to maintain contact. The Vatican emphasized that it advocates for an end to hostilities and the start of genuine negotiations.
