EU bishops call for solidarity with Ukraine

The presidency of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) issued a statement on Ukraine on March 4.

The statement emphasises that “Ukraine’s struggle for peace and the defence of its territorial integrity is not only a fight for its own future. Its outcome will also be decisive for the fate of the entire European continent and of a free and democratic world”.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law,” the statement noted.

“The use of force to alter national borders and the atrocious acts committed against the civilian population are not only unjustifiable, but demand a consequent pursuit of justice and accountability.” 

US President Donald Trump ordered a pause on shipments of US military aid to Ukraine after his heated Oval Office argument with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week.

Without directly referring to Mr Trump, the EU bishops’ statement emphasised that Ukraine is the victim in this war and Russia the aggressor, adding that any attempts to distort the reality of this aggression must be firmly rejected.

The EU bishops affirmed that a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine can only be achieved through negotiations, which should be backed by strong transatlantic and global solidarity and must involve Ukraine. 

“In order to be sustainable and just . . . a future peace accord must fully respect international law and be underpinned by effective security guarantees to prevent the conflict from re-erupting.”

The statement also urged the international community to “continue to assist Ukraine in the reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure”, and specified that Russia “must adequately participate in this effort”.

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EU bishops call for European unity and solidarity with Ukraine amid geopolitical uncertainty – Catholic Bishops’ Conference (CBCEW)