Prime Minister Robert Abela has already shattered Malta's reputation, but he is now playing with the country's safety and security as well because he fails to stop selling Maltese citizenship to Russians, PN leader Bernard Grech said on Friday.

Addressing a party event on the campaign trail in Mellieha, Grech spoke at length about the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying that support must be lent to the Ukrainian people.

He criticised Abela for not pledging to stop selling Maltese citizenship to Russian nationals, even though there are serious allegations at play wherein Russia may be trying to use those who bought citizenship in order to infiltrate the country.

"Abela has already shattered our country's reputation; now he is playing with our security.  Now we must send a clear message that no: we cannot sell our souls, and we most certainly cannot sell our security for money," the PN leader said.

"We are ready to share citizenship with people who are ready to invest, who want a genuine link with our country and who are proud to be Maltese citizens. But they need to show who they are. People who want to hide do not want to associate themselves with our country. If you don't want to associate yourself with our country, then I do not want to associate myself with you," Grech said.

"Whoever has been associated with Russia - even a football club [Manchester United] - has stopped their association with anything Russian.  But Robert Abela is not capable of sending a clear message," Grech said.

Grech addressed other subjects, such as Covid-19, where he promised that Malta's traditional religious feasts will be celebrated as they were before the pandemic if the PN were to be elected.

He said that the vision the PN has for Malta is not based on a politics of hand-outs and gift-giving, but one of rights and responsibilities.

Grech said that he wants to see a country where everyone takes care of each other.  Here he shared a personal anecdote, coming close to tears, and thanking his neighbour for, despite being elderly and despite recovering from a broken leg, still offering to cook for him and his family every day.

"This is the society I want to live in," Grech said.