President Vladimir Putin is on the opposite side of the United States and Europe. He has now placed himself in opposition to the public protests and appeals of the Orthodox Churches. A head of state aspiring to lead the Orthodox world can not defy the consensus of Orthodox leaders worldwide.
Russia needs to put an end to the war by agreeing to a ceasefire and ceasing from disrupting the lives of people in Ukraine. As has been written before on this blog, a resolution should be bases on a land for peace basis. Russia should withdraw from Ukrainian territory in exchange for NATO agreeing not install bases in Ukrainian and making Ukraine a member of NATO.
The danger exists of escalation with American and Russian forces possibly confronting one another. On the American side, it should be understood that the dangerous rhetoric over the years directed at the Russians has contributed to the war. On the Russian side, it should be understood that the invasion of Ukraine led to the suffering of innocent people who bear no responsibility for the geopolitical rivalry that was instigated by the west.
Orthodox Christians should strive for and end to the war in fulfillment of the established positions of the synods of the local Churches. It should also be understood that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church has condemned the invasion. The war must end and negotiations should proceed.
One reply on “End The War Now!”
Putin has horribly bungled the situation in Ukraine. Does this man have any advisers or is he just surrounded by ‘Yes!’ men? This is what happens when you enact policy in a vacuum of discussion. He’s also exhibited an inability to think outside the box, to not look for answers beyond the militaristic solutions of the 19th and 20th centuries.
I thought at one time Putin was pretty shrewd, but I’m wondering now if I overrated him. Yes, the west’s hands are not clean in Ukraine-not by a longshot. But nothing Putin will gain from this invasion will be worth the cost-Russia’s economy is falling apart at the seams and he seems oblivious to it. Had he been more astute he could have come up with different solutions. Time for new leadership in Russia.