The Head of the UGCC briefs diplomats at the Holy See on the tragic consequences of Russian aggression

In his report, His Beatitude Sviatoslav spoke about the tragic consequences of Russian aggression, the humanitarian catastrophe and the service of the church during the war. The head of the UGCC also pointed out the necessary conditions for achieving a just peace in Ukraine. This was reported by the Information Department of the UGCC.

His Beatitude Sviatoslav told the ambassadors about the violation by the Russian military of fundamental human rights guaranteed by various international treaties, in particular, the right to life and safety of children, civilians and military personnel, the use of prohibited weapons by the Russian Federation against the civilian population, weapons of wide destruction against the civilian population, deportation, etc.

The head of the UGCC stressed that "the crimes of the Russian army in Ukraine are a clear genocide of the Ukrainian people, as the well-known historian Timothy Snyder openly says." His Beatitude Sviatoslav also spoke about the ideology of "the Russian World, preached by Patriarch Kirill, and born in the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church." The head of the UGCC compared the doctrine of the Russian World ideology with the doctrine of ISIS and noted that "the preaching of this doctrine by the highest representatives of the Russian church discredits the evangelical mission of the church and endangers all Christianity." His Beatitude Sviatoslav expressed his conviction: "If the global Christian world does not find the antibodies to reject and condemn the ideology of the Russian World, Christianity will lose the trust of modern man."

During the meeting, video materials were shown with clergy of the Russian Orthodox Church firing a grenade launcher "against NATO" and teaching how to pray while loading a machine gun.

When asked about the prospect of peace for Ukraine, His Beatitude Sviatoslav said that "this is an open question", but for "a just peace, it is necessary to establish the truth about everything that Russia has done in Ukraine, justice, and most importantly — repentance for the crimes committed."

The Head of the UGCC also shared his experience of pastoral visits to the occupied and then liberated territories, particularly Bucha and Irpin. His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted "the incredibly sacrificial service of bishops, priests, nuns and nuns in these territories. Their ministry is a sign to me that the Lord has not forsaken our people."

In addition to the ambassadors of European countries, the event was attended by Cardinal Filoni, the Head of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, the Ambassadors of the United States, Australia and the special representative of the Italian Foreign Ministry for Religious Freedom.

The meeting with the diplomatic corps was the final one in the program of the visit of the Head of the UGCC to Rome.