A delegation of Ukrainian pastors met with representatives of American religious and political circles in Washington, D.C., to call for continued support for Ukraine. The clergy from Kyiv came to the United States with three key messages: to debunk Russian disinformation about religious freedom in Ukraine, to emphasize the real persecution in the Russian-occupied territories, and to call for the return of the 20,000 Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
Source: thedispatch
Religion as part of Russian aggression
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has used the religious narrative to justify its imperial ambitions. Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the invasion as a “historic mission” to “protect Orthodox unity.” However, Ukrainian religious leaders refute these claims.
Ukraine demonstrates a model of religious pluralism that stands in stark contrast to Russia. The Ukrainian government ensures freedom of religion, while persecution prevails in Russia and the occupied territories.
Over the past three years, Russia has carried out a large-scale campaign of religious genocide in Ukraine:
- More than 630 religious buildings – churches, mosques, synagogues, and houses of worship – have been destroyed or damaged by Russian shelling.
- 149 religious monuments were damaged, according to UNESCO.
- 36 clergy of various denominations have been abducted and killed by the Russian military.
The occupation forces systematically torture and kill religious leaders who do not obey the Russian regime.
Putin’s “holy war” is a new form of religious extremism
Ukrainian pastors compared Russian aggression to the methods of terrorist organizations:
- Like ISIS, Russia kidnaps children, imposes a new identity on them, and forces them to fight against their country.
- Like ISIS, the Russian Orthodox Church, led by Patriarch Kirill, justifies the war on the basis of religious dogma.
Ukrainian clergymen emphasized that Russia is not just fighting for territory – it is waging a war to destroy the Ukrainian national identity.
Why is supporting Ukraine important for the United States and the world?
The delegation of pastors stated that this war is not only a struggle for Ukraine’s independence, but a battle for freedom, democracy, and religious freedom in the world.
Ukraine is not asking for the participation of the U.S. military, but only calls on the U.S. and its allies:
- Continue military and humanitarian support for Ukraine.
- Insist on the return of the occupied territories and abducted children.
- Maintain Russia’s status as a country that grossly violates religious freedoms.
As one Ukrainian Baptist leader noted:
“The United States has been blessed to be a light to the nations. By helping Ukraine, you are helping not only us, but also the values of freedom and justice in the world.”
Ukraine is fighting not only for its independence, but also for the fundamental principles of religious freedom that the democratic world professes. If the West does not protect Ukraine today, tomorrow Putin and his allies (China, Iran and others) will challenge the entire free world.
The clergy called on American Christians not to turn a blind eye to this struggle.
“This is not just a war of arms. This is a war for survival, a war of identities and a war for the soul of the nation. America has no right to turn away.”
