A Vatican representative stated that dialogue is more important than ever and that the world needs diplomacy the most. These words were quoted by a Russian television channel at the beginning of the meeting.
The Papal Envoy Leon XIV added that this meeting represents an 'adequate continuation' of contacts maintained between the Vatican and the Russian Embassy recently.
This is Gallagher's first trip to Russia since 2021, before the start of the war, although the Vatican emissary previously spoke with Lavrov by phone in 2025.
Regarding the meeting agenda, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov announced at a press conference that Lavrov and Gallagher will discuss the war. The President of Russia Vladimir Putin's press secretary, quoted by the Spanish news agency EFE, confirmed: 'I do not doubt that the Ukrainian issue will arise.'
Gallagher also plans to meet today with Metropolite Antoniy, head of external relations of the Russian Orthodox Church. According to the schedule published by the Vatican, he will be received on Wednesday by Kremlin advisor on international politics Yuri Ushakov.
In July, Gallagher visited Kyiv, where he met with Ukrainian leaders who invited the Pope to visit the country. The head of the Catholic Church has condemned the death of civilians on both sides in recent weeks.
Diplomatic efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the conflict, which began with the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, have weakened due to the Israeli-American war against Iran, which started on February 28. Currently, Moscow and Kyiv maintain contact only on issues of prisoner and soldier body exchanges.