Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with American evangelical pastor Mark Burns, co-founder and chairman of the NOW Network.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Heads of the Presidential Office Iryna Vereshchuk and Ihor Brusylo, Advisor to the Head of the Presidential Office and Chief Operating Officer of Bring Kids Back UA Dariia Zarivna, and Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Moshe Reuven Azman.
Andriy Yermak expressed gratitude to the American people for their support of Ukraine since the very beginning of Russia’s full-scale aggression. He also emphasized the importance of bipartisan support for Ukraine in the U.S. Congress.
“We greatly value President Trump’s leadership and his willingness – despite the difficult circumstances – to bring this war to an end. But of course, for us and for the entire world, it’s essential that this war ends with a just and enduring peace,” he said.
Andriy Yermak briefed Mark Burns on the results of recent meetings between Ukrainian and U.S. delegations in Jeddah and Riyadh, as well as ongoing joint efforts with international partners to secure a just and lasting peace. He noted that, in the meantime, Russia continues its daily attacks on Ukrainian schools, hospitals, and civilians.
Mark Burns praised the bravery of Ukrainian warriors and noted that he is personally informing President Trump about everything he witnesses in Ukraine. He also said he was deeply moved by the evidence of Russian crimes against civilians, particularly in Bucha.
Ihor Brusylo highlighted the powerful symbolism of visiting the Church of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called and All Saints of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in Bucha, which became a site of mass killings of civilians by Russian forces.
“These killings were blessed by the Patriarch of Moscow himself. Can you imagine a Christian blessing the murder of other Christians? This is Putin’s church – one that is a million years away from Christianity, from true Orthodoxy.,” the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office stated.
Dariia Zarivna noted that since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, over 600 Ukrainian children have been killed and another 1,846 injured in missile attacks. According to official records alone, nearly 20,000 children have been illegally deported or forcibly transferred by Russia.
“The Russians are trying to turn these children into soldiers – into weapons against their own army. I believe this is unprecedented cynicism. It goes beyond the bounds of humanity and any moral values. Frankly, for Russia, this has become routine practice,” she stressed.
Iryna Vereshchuk outlined the serious challenges involved in freeing civilian hostages who are being unlawfully held in Russian prisons and camps. She called for support in securing their return.
“The problem is that we have no Russian civilian detainees to exchange, because unlike Russians, we don’t take their civilians hostage – that would be a violation of international law,” the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office said.
The parties held a detailed discussion of all the issues raised and agreed to make every possible effort to secure the release of all Ukrainians and to end Russian aggression.
