We are two years on from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We might refer to this as President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, firstly because leadership matters in every national context and secondly because Putin has amassed power around him providing him with unchallengeable authority.
Lament
The consequence has been hundreds of thousands of deaths among military forces across both nations and tens of thousands of deaths of civilians in Ukraine. The immediate Christian response has been one of lament. Regardless of the politics, when tens of thousands of people are killed, we cry out to God over the tragic loss of life. The cry goes out whether those killed are wearing uniform or are civilians, or whether they are our close neighbours or on the other side of the globe.
Justice
Quickly following lament comes the search for justice. The invasion was contrary to the most fundamental aspects of international law and precisely the type of conflict that the establishment of the United Nations after the Second World War sought to prevent. It is sobering that while two UN General Assembly resolutions have overwhelmingly condemned the invasion, there are far too many states who are reluctant to do so.
The situation in Ukraine
The conflict is currently at an uneasy stalemate on the ground. Over the past nine months, the frontline positions of both sides have moved little. A stalemate does not necessarily indicate a decrease in intensity of the fighting. Every week, many more soldiers and civilians are killed. The scale of loss in Ukraine and the long periods of military service required by troops is separating families and wearing down the whole of society in Ukraine. Yet the vast majority of Ukrainians feel that they have no alternative. If Russia succeeds in its aggression, how could they ever feel safe in the future?
The future
The future may be decided on the battlefield. It is a battlefield that increasingly relies on new technology and competence in the use of remote weapons and electronic warfare to gain an edge. There will come a point when Russian and Ukrainian parties will have to talk and work out a future that turns away from war. We pray that this day may come soon and that President Putin’s aggression is blunted.
The Joint Public Issues Team has provided briefing materials to support reflection on Ukraine and appropriate political and practical responses by the UK. We invite people to discuss the questions raised in this briefing either individually or in groups in your church. Across the world, the Church and its members are actively engaged in building peace, and in advocating for governments to intervene constructively when conflict breaks out.
We pray for all the innocent victims of war in Ukraine, Russia, Gaza and elsewhere. Our earnest hope is that the people of Ukraine will not have to endure a third year of violent conflict in their land.
Some prayers released by our denominations
The United Reformed Church: a prayer from young Ukrainian refugees
The Baptist Union of Great Britain: Prayers for Ukraine
The Methodist Church: Second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
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