Suddenly: Shevchuk says there's no military solution to conflict in Donbass

Head of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk. Photo: fakty.com.ua

The head of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk said that there is no military solution to the conflict in Donbass and that it can only be ended by diplomatic means, VaticanNews reports.

“This is really a tragedy, because we all hoped very much that it would be possible to stop the war, that it would be possible to actually find a political, diplomatic solution to this conflict, because we all know there is no military solution to this situation,” he said.

"No war! Lay down your weapons!" called Shevchuk. “As His Holiness Father Francis said, war brings no gains but losses only. Let reason, dialogue and diplomacy outweigh the temptation to use weapons so that any problems could be resolved from an international political point of view."

In fact, Sviatoslav Shevchuk’s rhetoric used to be quite different.

In June 2019, Shevchuk said that "we do not need peace in Donbass at any cost."

In October 2019, the head of the UGCC stated that only those "who want to save their skin" were tired of the war in Donbass and called on to listen to the soldiers and volunteers who "explain to us that the one who is able to give everything can win."

In November 2019, Shevchuk said that “it is very unsafe to talk about the need to end the war at any cost” and compared those who call for peace with the Nazis: “It is dangerous to succumb to the aggressor for the sake of the so-called peace, i.e. to raise your hands in the air. This reminds me very much of the insidious logic of Nazi propaganda in Europe in the context of Hitler's aggression ... We have been saying for five years: stop killing us, then we will start talking about everything else. Can we just stop shooting? Apparently, it's not that simple."

Read also

Petition Warns Canada’s Hate Speech Law Could Criminalize Scripture

Thousands of Canadians have signed a petition urging the Liberal government to drop proposed hate-speech changes that critics warn could criminalize quoting the Bible and other religious texts.

JD Vance: Criticizing Israel Is Not Antisemitism

Vice President JD Vance said opposing Israeli policies is not the same as antisemitism, sparking debate over where criticism of Israel ends and hatred of Jews begins.

First Orthodox Prayer Book Published in Indonesian Language

The first Orthodox prayer book in Indonesian has been published and presented in Bekasi, providing local faithful and new converts with a vital resource for prayer and liturgical life.

OCA Joins Legal Challenge to Illinois Abortion Referral Law

Amicus brief argues mandate violates religious freedom and compels pro-life providers to contradict their faith.

EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Ukrainian Memo Says Religious Freedom is ‘Achilles Heel’

In an emergency strategy meeting held in response to the Society of St. John's Day of Action, D.C.-based Ukrainian lobbyists acknowledged the weight of the religious freedom issue as it pertains to the Ukrainian government’s public perception.

Historic $2.9 Million Bequest Strengthens Greek Orthodox Foundation

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Foundation has received a record $2.9 million bequest from the late Andy Efthim, a devoted layman whose faith-filled generosity will support the Church’s mission for generations.