RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF UKRAINE MAKE STATEMENT ABOUT UNPRECEDENTED AMASSING OF RUSSIAN TROOPS NEAR UKRAINIAN BORDER
In connection with the exacerbation of the situation in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine and the violation of the conditions of the ceasefire, which has again led to irreparable human losses and caused profound grief and human suffering, and the unprecedented amassing of groups of forces of the Russian Federation near the state boundaries of Ukraine, the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations [ACCRO] has appealed to everyone within whose authority and competence it is to hold fire and halt shelling to find within themselves sufficient strength and courage to restore the circumstances declared earlier for seeking a path to a peaceful settlement. This is stated in a declaration by the ACCRO, which was published on 12 April over the signature of the chairman of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Patriarch Sviatoslav.
"On the eve of one of the major Christian holidays, Pascha, which for many citizens of our country remains the opportunity for internal restoration and the source of spiritual consolation, we address a request for displaying wisdom and courage, so that the festive echo of paschal songs will resound over our native land, and not gunfire. Let sincere paschal greetings be heard again and arms be silenced and a long and sustainable peace be established.
"Recognizing the importance of the previously achieved agreements about the introduction of conditions of a ceasefire, we, the representatives of the churches and religious organizations of Ukraine, emphasize the necessity confirmed by the signatories of adherence to the stated principles and decisions reached and of immediate elimination of all hindrances in the path to a peaceful rectification of the situation in the east of Ukraine and the final cessation of military activities and bloodshed.
"We appeal to the representatives of international institutions and the diplomatic corps in Ukraine to manifest unwavering resolution and decisive devotion to the work of restoring the process of a diplomatic settlement of the military conflict and the establishment of a just peace throughout the territory of our country within its internationally recognized borders," the statement of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations says. (tr. by PDS, posted 13 April 2021)
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