Zelenskyy and Patriarch Bartholomew held a meeting in Chisinau

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at Chisinau Airport. The parties discussed the consequences of Russian strikes on Kyiv, including the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the humanitarian situation, and prospects for further dialogue in a new format.

According to 112.ua, the meeting took place during the Ukrainian leader’s visit to Chisinau to attend the G7 summit. One of the central topics was the massive strikes on Kyiv on June 15, which reportedly killed at least four people and injured another 35 with varying degrees of severity.

Commenting on the aftermath of the attacks, Zelenskyy called the incident “barbarism for which there is no justification.” Special attention during the conversation was given to the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra—one of Ukraine’s key Orthodox shrines and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During the conversation, the President of Ukraine also extended an official invitation to Patriarch Bartholomew to visit the country. Such a visit is expected to serve as an important signal of spiritual support for Ukraine and help strengthen inter-church ties amid the ongoing conflict.

The parties also discussed the possibility of organizing future in-person meetings in a new format. This indicates Kyiv’s intention to maintain a constant dialogue with spiritual leaders and to expand international solidarity around Ukraine.