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Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
On Independence Day in Kyiv, the National Prayer Breakfast took place, uniting Ukrainian and foreign clergy, politicians, public figures, and military personnel. Representatives of various religions and denominations prayed for Ukraine together, spoke about supporting the state, and about how to convey to the world the truth about Russian aggression.
Host 24 Channel Sofia Troshchuk attended the event and spoke about its main points and conversations with participants. Among them were Ukrainian religious leaders and guests from abroad who, after returning home, will be able to tell their communities what they saw and heard in Ukraine.
Different denominations united for Ukraine
The National Prayer Breakfast brought together in Kyiv people of different churches, political views, professions, and nationalities. There were Ukrainian soldiers, public figures, politicians, and clergy from various countries around the world. For the participants, the shared element was prayer for Ukraine and support for people who are experiencing war.
Today in one hall, next to each other, are different people — from different churches, political views, professions, and nationalities. But such events emphasize that any differences between us do not matter when it comes to the main things — the truth, peace, and how prayer in difficult moments unites us all. Because in a trench under a canopy or in a hospital corridor where a relative’s operation is awaited, in captivity, or in the metro at three o’clock at night during Russian strikes, people talk to God in a very similar way, the same.
— said President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Sofia Troshchuk noted that representatives of various Christian churches from Europe and the United States came to Kyiv. Among the guests were, in particular, the Greek-Catholic Metropolitan from Hungary and Metropolitan Boris from Philadelphia. Their presence is important not only as a gesture of solidarity but also as an opportunity to personally see Ukraine and hear about the war from people who live in it every day.
Today, guests from all over the world are truly present. There are representatives of different churches, different denominations from Europe and other countries. And it is very important that they are all united in prayer, as well as in supporting Ukraine and solidarity in our fight for freedom,
— emphasized His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
After returning home, foreign religious leaders will be able to tell their communities about what they saw in Ukraine, their conversations with military personnel, activists, and religious figures. This has special significance against the backdrop of Russian propaganda that tries to persuade the world of alleged persecution of worshippers in Ukraine.
Unity of different religions became Ukraine’s strength
The Prayer Breakfast included not only various Christian churches. Muslims and Jews joined in the communal prayer, and among the participants there were talks about Ukrainian Muslims who are currently serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A significant portion of them are Crimean Tatars, who fight for Ukraine and for return to the occupied Crimea. On the front lines, Muslim chaplains work alongside soldiers.
Ukraine has united representatives of different ethnic groups, and in this lies our strength. Christians, Jews, Muslims are now together — this is a phenomenon. When I tell colleagues from Muslim countries how a priest, an imam, and a rabbi can help together, they ask: “How is this even possible?” We have one goal — victory,
— said Mufti of Muslims of Ukraine, Mufti Murat Suleymanov.
This unity is preserved even against the backdrop of Russian attacks on religious buildings. In 2025 year, on the eve of the Prayer Breakfast, the main mosque of Ukraine was damaged by shelling, and in 2026 year, Russians struck the Lavra, the restoration of which is still ongoing. Religious communities continue to help people, especially in frontline towns, where they are sometimes among the few organized support structures.
We are talking about consolidating the entire religious milieu and about foreigners who want to support Ukraine and our religious leaders. In frontline territories, churches and religious communities remain perhaps among the few organized structures that help people,
— emphasized Viktor Yelensky, head of the State Service for Ethno-Policy and Freedom of Conscience.
Through foreign spiritual leaders, information about Ukraine reaches large religious communities abroad, notably in the United States and Europe. After personally speaking with Ukrainian soldiers, activists, and clergy, they return to their communities with their own understanding of what is happening during the Russian war.
American Christians urged to support Ukraine
Among the foreign guests at the Prayer Breakfast was American politician, pastor, and president of the Family Research Council, Tony Perkins. He drew attention to the plight of religious communities in territories occupied by Russia, where churches are closed and priests and pastors are forced to leave their communities.
What is happening in the occupied territories, where Russia closes churches and expels pastors and priests, is a form of cultural genocide, a religious cleansing. The international community must support Ukraine, opposing Russian aggression,
— Perkins stressed.
He observed Ukrainian resistance not only in military resilience but also in the rapid development of new technologies. A former Marine highlighted Ukrainian drone developments, the determination of people to protect their land, and stressed that joint assistance should not transform into pressure to cede territories.
I stood and applauded the Ukrainian people for their resolve and creativity. At a minimum, we must support Ukrainians and not push them to surrender, lay down their arms, or give up territories under any circumstances,
— said the American pastor.
In the United States, attitudes toward supporting Ukraine remain mixed. Even among conservatives there are isolationists who advocate focusing only on domestic problems.
At the same time, the evangelical and biblical community constitutes a significant portion of the American electorate, so personal testimonies from spiritual leaders who come to Ukraine can influence broader understanding of the war in American society.
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