Ukraine is mobilizing its largest-ever delegation to the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., aiming to highlight the threats to religious freedom posed by Russian aggression. This gathering, a significant event on the political calendar since 1953, will provide Ukrainian pastors, parliamentarians, and military chaplains an opportunity to advocate for continued U.S. support in the face of Russian hostility.
The Ukrainian representatives plan to convey their assertion that further advances by Russia would lead to an increased repression of multiple Christian denominations, alongside the rampant destruction of places of worship and systemic harassment of clergy in occupied territories. They hope their message resonates with influential individuals, including members of Congress and Trump administration officials.
Roman Lozynskyi, a member of Ukraine's Parliament from the Holos Party, emphasized the cultural and spiritual devastation caused by Russian forces, stating, “Russia doesn’t just kill people, doesn’t just destroy our cities — Russia also destroys and bans religious communities.” He shared a poignant example of repression with the story of a Greek Catholic priest deported from Melitopol, underscoring the urgent need for international attention and support to protect religious freedoms in the face of ongoing conflict.
