Ending the war in Ukraine should not come at the expense of true justice, especially for the 400,000 Ukrainian children who were forced to take to Russia.
The title of Current Events and Peace Negotiations in Ukraine was announced by the International Ministry’s Board of Directors, which trains Christian leaders in the context of missionary affairs, cites Isaiah 2:4, saying, “As a follower of Christ, he is called the voice of truth, justice and compassion, especially in times of deep crisis.”
“As leadership in Mission Eurasia, we are uniting the Ukrainian people with unwavering prayers and support in this pivotal moment of history, along with our earthly partners in Ukraine and support.
The organization referred to “current, unexpected global political change and current consultations surrounding Ukraine,” and said that their development requires “Christian identification, courage, clarity and unwavering confidence.”
This could suggest a perceived change in foreign policy under President Donald Trump’s new US administration, which he said on February 25th through the Truth Social of Social Media Platforms. However, on February 24th, he published “a serious discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the end of the war.”
I confirmed solidarity with the “Ukrainian brothers and sisters” in hopes of ending a war that began with a Russian invasion on February 22, 2022 and claiming thousands of lives.
“But we firmly believe that peace (sic) cannot simply sacrifice the truth or the innocent person,” I said. “True peace cannot be built on political compromises that ignore the cry of the victims or exempt accountability invaders.
“The war must end, but the deep wounds it inflicts cannot be ignored, nor can the crimes committed against the Ukrainian people and their churches be dismissed for political convenience.”
I highlighted ongoing human rights abuses, including the forced deportation of more than 400,000 Ukrainian children to Russia. The organization also pointed out other atrocities. The church was seized, addicted, countless civilians were brutally killed, tens of thousands of children were orphaned, and around 12 million refugees fled their homes. One third of Ukraine’s population is currently evacuated.
“Overall towns, villages and communities have been wiped out from the map, leaving behind a path of devastation and heartbreak,” I said. “These aren’t just statistics and numbers on the page, they are lives, stories, and souls created with images of God.
“As followers of Christ, we cannot remain silent. We are called: “I protect the weak and the father, I support the causes of the poor and the oppressed” (Psalm 82:3).
“Ignoring these atrocities for political convenience is a betrayal of the gospel we declare.”
This statement reaffirmed my commitment to the mission of spreading the gospel by training and providing resources to Christian leaders to serve the church and those in need.
“In this devastating war, we will continue to stand with the Ukrainian Church and the people, providing hope, humanitarian assistance and spiritual care,” I said. “Together, we bring Christ’s light into the darkest places, encourage fatigue and remind us that the broken people have not been forgotten.”
Finally, I called on churches in the United States, Canada and other countries to continue to generously support those in suffering, not passively but in “active intercession through serious prayer.”
“Let us work while praying for just peace that reflects God’s kingdom, a peace that restores, redeems and supports the dignity of the lives of all human beings affected by this war,” I said.
Ukrainian sources say that as Russian troops already dominate the evangelical presence, Ukrainian evangelicals do not support a peace agreement granting territory to Russia.
“It is not only important for Ukrainian evangelicals to achieve peace just for themselves, but they also want to achieve peace and freedom of their brothers and sisters in areas under Russian control,” Dr Maxim Vasin, of the Kiev-based Institute for Religious Freedom, told Christian Daily International. “That’s why if thousands of evangelical Christians continue to be persecuted under Russian authority for years, it would not be a perfect deal, not a peaceful deal.”
