The Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo (pictured), delivered a video-message to the “Unity Defence and Security Strategy. Action Plan” Summit, convened by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday, on the third anniversary of war in Ukraine.

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I wish to thank the Ukrainian authorities for the kind invitation to this international summit. I take this opportunity to renew the support and the solidarity of the Order of Malta to the Ukrainian people, who have suffered heavily from the dire consequences of war as regards their living conditions, the state of the infrastructures and the social services, their health and the education of their children.

The Order of Malta has been providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine for many years, especially after the outbreak of the war in February 2022.

In the first stages of the conflict, the Order of Malta assisted the refugees in the neighboring countries and in other hosting countries throughout Europe.

In the following period, the Order of Malta has been very active in providing social services to more than 60 centers throughout the country. Some of these services take care of people who have suffered from physical injuries and are in need of rehabilitation treatment. Another category, very significant in contemporary conflicts, is the care of persons that have suffered psychological traumas. The overall effort of the Order of Malta in Ukraine required an extensive work and deployment of resources, not only in terms of material support but also of professional skills and expertise. I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation the Ukrainian authorities for having facilitated our operations and to all our volunteers for their dedication and spirit of service.

We express our support to any effort that may bring peace to the Ukrainians and may lay the ground for the reconstruction of the country. Our historic neutrality prevents us from giving an evaluation about the conditions for peace. However they should be acceptable to all parties.

We hope that very soon the Ukrainian people may experience peace, stability, reconstruction instead of war, sufferings and devastation. The Order of Malta will continue to be aside the Ukrainians as long as it is needed.

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The Sovereign Order of Malta is one of the oldest institutions of Western and Christian civilisation. A lay religious order of the Catholic Church since 1113 and a subject of international law, the Sovereign Order of Malta has diplomatic relations with over 100 states and the European Union, and permanent observer status at the United Nations. It is neutral, impartial and apolitical.

Today, the Order of Malta is active in 120 countries caring for people in need through its medical, social and humanitarian works. Day-to-day, its broad spectrum of social projects provides a constant support for forgotten or excluded members of society. It is especially involved in helping people living in the midst of armed conflicts and natural disasters by providing medical assistance, caring for refugees, and distributing medicines and basic equipment for survival. Across the world, the Order of Malta is dedicated to the preservation of human dignity and the care of all those in need, regardless of their origin or religion.

Founded in Jerusalem in the 11th century, the Order of Malta has a long history of service to the vulnerable and the sick. This 900-year history is reflected in its full name: Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta. Since 1834 the Order of Malta’s government seat has been in Rome, where it is guaranteed extraterritorial rights.

The Order of Malta operates through 11 Priories, 48 National Associations, 149 diplomatic missions, a worldwide relief agency and 33 national volunteer corps, as well as numerous hospitals, medical centres and specialist foundations. It does not pursue any economic or political goal and does not depend on any other state or government.

The British Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (BASMOM) was founded in 1875. The Association, as part of the OSJCT (Orders of St John Care Trust), participates in the operation of homes for the aged, in Lincolnshire, Wiltshire, Arundel, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire. Currently there are over 60 homes, with some 3,500 residents, the Order being part of the organisation which is the largest provider of protected accommodation in the UK .