Pastor and evangelist Mark Burns, who is close to former US President Donald Trump, responded to Russian leader Vladimir Putin's religious demands regarding Ukraine. Burns stated that Russia 'has weaponized religion', while Ukraine is 'exposing' this truth.
He posted a corresponding message on social media on Monday, August 18, as reported by zaxid.net.
"It is deeply troubling that during peace talks in Alaska, Vladimir Putin had the audacity to demand protections for the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. This is the same institution being used by the Kremlin to justify war, bless missiles, and deceive millions by pretending their invasion is somehow holy," Burns' post begins.
Trump's pastor describes the ban on Ukrainian churches in occupied territories as "evil." Despite the harsh aggression, Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom of religion, the American pastor notes.
"The Ukrainian people are not trying to silence faith. They are standing against a corrupt system that uses the name of God to bless violence. The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has called the war against Ukraine a holy mission and promised forgiveness to those who kill innocent people. That is not Christianity. That is a false religion being used to serve empire," Mark Burns states.
In his post, the pastor addressed the law that bans the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine, emphasizing that it is being manipulated by Russian authorities and their propagandists. He stated that this law was passed democratically and serves to “protect national sovereignty while establishing fair legal procedures for investigating connections to the Russian Orthodox Church.”
"No religious group is being automatically banned. No one is above the law. These are actions of a free people defending themselves, not persecuting anyone," the pastor explains.
Burns expressed support for the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. He believes these organizations are correct in rejecting external pressure and defending truth, justice, and freedom.
"In the Name of Jesus, I pray for peace. But real peace must be based on truth. The truth is that Russia has weaponized religion. And Ukraine is right to expose that. I stand with Ukraine. I stand with the Church. I stand with freedom. May God bless those who fight for justice. And may He bring down every false prophet used by tyrants," adds Mark Burns.
On August 16, sources at The New York Times reported that during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Alaska on August 15, President Putin made several demands of Ukraine. Specifically, he requested that Russian be recognized as an official language and asked for security guarantees for Russian Orthodox churches in Ukraine.