Ukrainian Christians Urge Trump to Stand for Justice and Freedom
Last week, Ukraine sent its largest-ever delegation to Washington, D.C., with one mission: rally support for military defense and urge Donald Trump not to cut a deal that favors Russia. Among them were nearly 200 pastors, priests, politicians, and wounded soldiers—all determined to make their voices heard.
Igor Bandura, vice president of the Baptist Union of Ukraine, summed it up perfectly: “We are here to pray, to advocate, and to remind America that we don’t just want this war to end—we want a just peace.” Ukraine war update
With Trump working on new negotiations, Ukrainian Christians fear the clock is ticking. They worry that a rushed deal could leave them vulnerable to further Russian aggression, religious persecution, and loss of their hard-fought freedoms.
The delegation’s message wasn’t just about politics; it was about faith. They highlighted reports of Russian forces shutting down churches, expelling pastors, and targeting religious leaders. According to Mission Eurasia, at least 47 religious leaders have been killed, and over 600 churches have been damaged or destroyed. Ukraine war update
Baptist leader Pavlo Unguryan put it bluntly: “Russia calls us American spies because we have so many Christian brothers and sisters in the U.S. But we’re not spies—we’re believers, fighting for freedom.”
Among those speaking out was Yaroslav Bazylevych, who lost his wife and three daughters in a Russian missile strike. His story is just one of thousands—over 12,000 civilians have died since the war began three years ago.
“We need help,” Bazylevych said. “We need America to stand with us.”
Trump’s Role: What’s Next?
While some delegation members believe Trump could negotiate a good deal, they want it to be fair. Pastor Mykhailo Brytsyn, who was expelled from his city by Russian forces, made it clear: “A fair plan means Russia withdraws from all occupied territories.”
Former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko echoed the sentiment: “Trump’s motto, ‘peace through strength,’ is exactly what Ukraine—and the free world—needs.”
But will Trump listen? His recent comments suggest he’s more interested in Ukraine’s rare earth minerals than in their freedom. Still, Ukrainian Christians remain hopeful, praying for wisdom in leadership and trusting that God is in control.
Their message is simple: If America stands for religious freedom, justice, and democracy, then it must stand with Ukraine.
Source: Christianity Today
