In Australia, the head of the UGCC spoke out against the peace plan for Ukraine, calling for continued fighting

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, has issued a statement opposing proposals for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine through territorial concessions. Speaking at a Uniate cathedral in Australia, he questioned the effectiveness of such an approach, saying that Ukraine should not agree to demands that are acceptable to Russia. The statement by the head of the UGCC was published on his official Facebook page.

According to the head of the UGCC, Russia’s true goals are «to destroy the Ukrainian people and influence the way of thinking of democratic societies in order to decompose them from within and enslave them». On this basis, Shevchuk supported the continuation of hostilities as a way to «stop the aggressor.»

He emphasized that Ukraine is «much more than land resources or minerals,» calling it «a holy place where God is with his people»as well as «a place of dignity, heritage and freedom.» The head of the UGCC noted that emigrants especially vividly realize the value of these concepts. He also recalled the sacrifices made by previous generations for the freedom of Ukraine, which «we now have, build and defend on our native land, paying the highest price — with the lives and health of the best sons and daughters!». At the same time, Shevchuk did not urge those present at the event to return to Ukraine and take part in its defense with weapons in their hands.

We shall remind you that on February 7, 2025, while participating in the Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC, the head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Epiphany Dumenko made a speech in which he hinted at the need to renew Ukraine’s nuclear status. Dumenko complained that Ukraine once refused to give up nuclear weapons, which resulted in Russia’s invasion. Now, in his opinion, for the country to be able to resist Russian aggression, it needs «the very sword», thanks to which Ukraine will be able to withstand.