The Ukrainian Orthodox Church has repeatedly emphasized the need for a ceasefire in Donbass and has shown its readiness to act as a mediator in the exchange of prisoners, and in particular, thanks to the Primate and the Holy Synod, dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war were released. Bishop Baryshevsky Victor wrote about this on his Telegram channel, commenting on the theses voiced during the dialogue between the Presidents of Ukraine and France.

“Ukraine needs peace – this is what we must strive for together,” stressed the hierarch of the UOC. – The armed confrontation has already claimed thousands of lives, and any death in the JFO zone is pain and tears of mothers, wives and children. The mission of the Church in such a situation is to call for peace and end the war. We emphasize once again that the UOC is the force that has the potential to unite a country torn apart by hatred and aggression ”.

According to the bishop, an important thesis voiced by the press secretary of the President is the activation of the process of exchange of prisoners “all for all”.  At the same time, as Vladyka noted, the UOC has repeatedly demonstrated its readiness to mediate in this process. “Thanks to our Church and the direct participation of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war were released,” he added.

Bishop Victor also recalled the words of appeal to the world of His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry, which were expressed by him in different years.