7 times Episcopal and Anglican leaders spoke against Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine

[Episcopal News Service] Russia’s unprovoked invasion of its neighbor Ukraine is three years old this month, and Russian aggression dates back more than a decade to 2014, when Russia  sent troops into the Ukrainian region of Crimea and said it was annexing the territory in violation of international law.

Russia’s three-year war on Ukraine has been devastating for the people of Ukraine, who have lived under constant threat of Russian bombardment and, in eastern regions, of Russian occupation. “The large-scale destruction and interruption of power and water supplies throughout the country will likely worsen the living conditions for millions of Ukrainians through a third winter of war,” the United Nations said in an October 2024 update.

It also has been deadly for both sides. Ukraine reported a death toll of 43,000 soldiers as of December 2024. On the Russian side, 172,000 troops had been killed as of early January, according to one estimate. Verifying such estimates has been a challenge for independent observers and news outlets covering the war.

The Trump administration recently began what it said were negotiations with Russia to end the war, without including Ukraine in those talks, and President Donald Trump falsely claimed that Ukraine was to blame for Russia’s war.

Since Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022 — and even before that attack — The Episcopal Church and its leaders have spoken out several times to condemn the Russian aggression and offer support for the Ukrainian people. Here are seven examples.

January 2022: Executive Council adopts statement

“Executive Council expresses grave concern about the escalation of tensions and military buildup along the border of Russia and Ukraine, and denounces any invasion which would cause great suffering and harm. … Executive Council condemns the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014 and laments the harms caused to that population and to all Ukrainians.”

March 2022: House of Bishops condemns Russian invasion

“We are gathered at a moment of profound jeopardy to the principles of international law and peace. As we meet and pray together as a House of Bishops, Ukraine — an independent, sovereign nation that has posed no threat to others beyond its borders — has been invaded by military forces of Russia, without provocation and without justification.”

March 2022: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry supports Ukraine

“[Ukrainians] have a right to defend their freedom and to protect it, and the rest of the world’s got to do whatever it can not to precipitate a worse war that will engulf the whole world, but to do everything possible to stand for human rights and decency. That’s not utopian thinking,” Curry, then the church’s presiding bishop, told Episcopal News Service.

March 2022: Anglican Primates’ Meeting backs Ukraine in communiqué 

“We are particularly aware of the humanitarian crisis and other catastrophic effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We call for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. We know, from our experience in the different parts of the world we are from, that conflict causes lasting damage. The longer a war goes on, the longer it takes to heal shattered relationships and bring about reconciliation.”

July 2022: 80th General Convention adopts Ukraine resolution

“Resolved, that the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church condemn the aggression launched by the Russian Federation on the sovereign and independent nation of Ukraine on February 24, 2022; and be it further resolved that this convention call on the leaders of the Russian Federation and its supporters to cease their aggression and enter immediately into good-faith negotiations in which Ukraine’s sovereignty and security are assured and call those among the nations of the world who may have the capacity to influence the choices made by those directing this war urgently to do so.”

February 2023: Episcopal Church issues statement after year of war

“Thousands of people have died, with many more being injured or displaced as a result of this war. We lament the loss of life and the human suffering this conflict has caused.”

June 2024: 81st General Convention adopts Ukraine resolution

General Convention called “for the Russian Federation to end its attacks in Ukraine, and for a just peace to be negotiated respecting all of Ukraine’s pre-2014 territory as recognized by international law.”