On 24 February 2026, we mark four years of the heroic resistance of the Defense Forces of Ukraine and of the entire Ukrainian people to the full-scale Russian military aggression, as well as the twelfth year of the war for Ukraine’s Independence.

The war of aggression waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of international norms and rules has brought immense suffering, grief, and losses to the Ukrainian people. It has caused the deaths of thousands upon thousands of Ukrainians, the brutal violation of human rights and freedoms in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including targeted religious persecution; the abduction of Ukrainian children, horrific treatment of military personnel and civilian prisoners, the destruction of cities and civilian infrastructure in our country, and has triggered the largest migration crisis in Europe in the 21st century.

With God’s help, and thanks to the strength of spirit of Ukrainian soldiers and society, the Russian aggressor has been stopped, its plans have been thwarted, and the foundations were laid for future victory and the establishment of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

At the core of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and its crimes against humanity lies the chauvinistic and misanthropic ideology of the “Russian world” (“Russkiy mir”), the creation and spread of which is facilitated by the Moscow Patriarchate and other major Russian religious centers together with the Kremlin political regime. Once again, we call on intergovernmental institutions, international religious organizations, and individual Churches and religious leaders to expose and condemn the ideology of the “Russian world” as one that promotes and justifies a “holy war” and other crimes against humanity. We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Conference of European Churches and to religious leaders of various Christian denominations and countries for condemning the ideology of the “Russian world.”

At this time, we honor the memory of every defender who gave his or her life and health for Ukraine, and we offer prayers that God may strengthen and comfort their families. We express our gratitude to Ukrainian soldiers and pray to the Almighty to grant them strength in the struggle to defend and secure Ukraine’s freedom.

We express our gratitude to everyone who contributes to strengthening Ukraine’s defense capability and helps bring victory closer. We also thank all international partners who are helping Ukraine defend freedom and its democratic future.

We appeal to the Ukrainian people, and to political and civic leaders, asking them to remain courageous and steadfast in this battle of good against evil, to support one another, to remain united, and to do everything necessary for victory and the establishment of a just peace for Ukraine.

On 24 February 2026, in accordance with the Resolution of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the National Day of Prayer will be held in Ukraine. We call on representatives of various religious traditions in Ukraine and beyond to turn to the Almighty on this day and ask Him for victory and a just peace for Ukraine.

“God the Great, the One, protect Ukraine for us!”

We invoke God’s blessing upon Ukraine and the Ukrainian people!

Kyiv, February 23, 2026