Destruction of the foundations of international law gave Russia the opportunity to attack Ukraine, - the Head of the UGCC
This was reported by the Information Department of the UGCC.
His Beatitude Sviatoslav emphasized that today, significant security and existential challenges have arisen before Europe and the world, brought about by the war in Ukraine, requiring responsible and mature responses. The Head of the UGCC compared these challenges to those faced by Europe in the interwar period, before World War II, where Europe and the world could not provide an adequate response and proceeded on the path of the "rule of might."
"What really bothers me is not only what is happening in the European Union today, but also how international relations and relationships look today," said the Head of the UGCC. "Why is it that Russia is now able - or will be able - to export war worldwide? And I have come to the conclusion that today we are dealing with the weakness – or inability – of international law itself."
The destruction of the foundations of international law has given Russia the opportunity to attack Ukraine, said the Head of the UGCC. He recounted having a very substantive meeting with Federica Mogherini, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy (2014) and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (2014–2019). "We talked about the conditions of state sovereignty as such for any state today. More is said about the rights of world powers than about the sovereignty and independence of states themselves, particularly small ones. This means that we are faced with the regression of the development trend of international law from the times that existed in Europe even before World War II - that is, whoever is bigger and stronger has more rights. And we remember what happened in Europe then: the sovereignty of Poland, the sovereignty of Austria, was put into question. And the nations that were under the protection of the law of these states lost their rights - even the right to exist! And the first victim of that mutation of international law at that time was the Jewish people."
The Head of the UGCC recalled the preconditions of the current situation, namely, the creation of favorable conditions for Russian aggression and the basis upon which it became possible - the undermining and destruction of the foundations of international law, which is happening before our eyes.
"What happened before World War II in Europe is now happening on a global scale. If we do not feel and recognize the power of law, then the rule of strength ensues. Saint John Paul II once said this," noted the Head of the UGCC.
"This is why today's 'peaceful diplomacy,' all kinds of treaties or 'peace agreements' have no foundation. Because the foundation for making peace is international law," he continued. "We are facing global trends that cause enormous concern. And here the European Union, which always declares that the law is equal for all, has a lot to do to ensure that democracy is genuine - both at home, in the EU, and with global issues. Because indeed, everyone is now disoriented: how did it happen that a member of the UN Security Council (Russia) attacked its neighbor? This means that this member of the UN Security Council was waiting for the moment when it could be done with impunity, and no one would do anything to stop them!"
His Beatitude Sviatoslav stressed that Ukraine has another experience: next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the pact when Ukraine renounced nuclear weapons. "Remember that Budapest Memorandum? That is, Ukraine gave up these weapons, believing in the power of international law, in the belief that it would protect us. And what happened? The one who guaranteed that right attacked our sovereignty. Who in the world will trust international law now? For us in Ukraine, it was truly unimaginable blasphemy when Patriarch Kirill (head of the Russian Orthodox Church) said that nuclear weapons guarantee Russia's independence and were created with the blessing and under the patronage of Saint Seraphim of Sarov. And such words and positions truly disturb everyone at all levels - politicians, heads of states, Christians, and ordinary citizens around the world. Because perhaps Russia had been waiting for many years for circumstances where, precisely now, when the power of international law is not so strong, they could do what they are doing now to us, to our state, and our people in Ukraine."
The Head of the UGCC visited Warsaw as part of a visit to European capitals - Rome, the Vatican, and Brussels. One of the main issues raised and discussed by His Beatitude Sviatoslav during meetings on this European tour was the full-scale war of Russia against Ukraine, which began almost two years ago. A war that undermined and destroyed the foundations of international law established after World War II. A war that raised and posed an existential question of Europe's and the world's security."
