Malta and the Vatican have appealed for a ceasefire in Ukraine and called for a diplomatic solution to the Ukrainian tragedy, Foreign and European Affairs Minister Evarist Bartolo said following talks on the telephone with Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican Secretary for Relations with other states.

Minister Evarist Bartolo and Archbishop Gallagher discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine that is leading to the destruction of an entire country, the killing of thousands of people, including children, women and the elderly. Millions of people are having to flee their homes and seek refuge in other parts of Ukraine and abroad.

Archbishop Gallagher told Minister Bartolo that Pope Francis is looking forward to visiting Malta and hopes that this visit will serve to foster the much needed peace in the world.