On February 23, ahead of the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople declared that Ukraine’s sovereignty is non-negotiable and cannot be compromised under any form of diplomatic negotiation. Speaking during a liturgy in Istanbul, the Patriarch stated that any future peace agreement must consider Ukraine as an equal participant.
“No force can extinguish the spirit of the people who refuse to be broken,” Bartholomew said in his sermon at a Mass attended by relatives and friends of Ukrainian soldiers who are missing or believed to be held in Russian captivity. “No nation has the right to force its will upon another, and no power can erase a people’s history,” he said, addressing the congregation, which included families of Ukrainian soldiers who are either missing in action or held captive by Russian forces.
Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion, Patriarch Bartholomew has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine, condemning Russian aggression and praying for peace. His stance contrasts with that of Moscow Patriarch Kirill, who has openly supported Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
In 2019, Bartholomew I signed the Tomos of Autocephaly, which granted the Orthodox Church of Ukraine independence from the Russian Orthodox Church, further strengthening his support for Ukraine during the ongoing conflict.
