Zelenskyy Meets Ecumenical Patriarch at Phanar

Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: Nikos Papachristou/Ecumenical Patriarchate

ISTANBUL — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on April 4, holding a private meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during his fourth trip to the Phanar since taking office.

The meeting, which lasted approximately an hour and a half, focused on ongoing efforts to achieve peace amid the war in Ukraine, the Orthodox Times reports. During the meeting, Patr. Bartholomew reiterated the Patriarchate’s consistent support for peaceful resolution to conflicts and expressed particular concern for thousands of Ukrainian children reportedly taken during the war. He voiced hope that they would soon be returned and reunited with their families.

“We stand close to our fellow human beings who suffer in the Middle East, in Ukraine, and elsewhere in the world,” Patr. Bartholomew said.

Zelenskyy, for his part, underscored Ukraine’s continued commitment to what he described as a “just peace,” stating that all efforts remain focused on protecting the population and restoring the country’s sovereignty. “The unity of the world is our strength,” he said, adding that international cooperation remains essential to ending the conflict.

The Ukrainian president also indicated that the possibility of renewed negotiations with Russia was discussed in prior meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, noting that Constantinople remains a potential venue for future talks.

"Present on behalf of the Mother Church were Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Director of the Patriarchal Private Office, and Epiphanios, of Ukrainian origin, while members of the Ukrainian delegation included Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Ambassador of Ukraine to Ankara Nariman Dzhelialov, Consul General in Constantinople Roman Nedilskyi, officials of the Presidential Office, and other representatives," the Orthodox Times shared.

The meeting concluded with a formal greeting of the delegation and a blessing from the Patriarch.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Robert Amsterdam, lawyer for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, had criticized Zelenskyy over religious freedom concerns.

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