The flag of the European Union. / Credit: U. J. Alexander/Shutterstock

ACI Prensa Staff, Mar 4, 2025 / 16:30 pm (CNA).

In the context of the growing geopolitical complexity and uncertainty surrounding peace in Ukraine, the presidency of the Commission of the Episcopal Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) issued a statement on Tuesday, March 4, expressing strong support for Ukraine.

The European Catholic bishops stated that “Ukraine’s struggle for peace will also be decisive for the fate of Europe and the world.” 

They also emphasized that “Ukraine’s struggle for peace and the defense 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.” 

In a geopolitical landscape that the bishops of the European Union described as “complex” and marked by “the unpredictability of the actions taken by some members of the international community,” the COMECE presidency urged the European Union and its member states “to remain united in their commitment to support Ukraine and its people.”

Ukraine must be included in the negotiations, bishops say

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

The prelates also pointed out in their press release that a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine can only be achieved through negotiations, which must be supported by strong transatlantic and global solidarity, and include Ukraine.

They noted that “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.”

In addition, COMECE 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.”

The European bishops also emphasized that Ukraine is “the victim in this war and Russia the aggressor,” stressing that any attempt to distort the reality of this aggression must be “firmly rejected.”

Regarding Ukraine’s application to join the European Union and the internal reforms undertaken to achieve this goal, the European bishops urged the EU to “advance with the enlargement process in a timely and fair manner alongside other candidate countries.”

The statement concluded by expressing the hope that the European Union “will remain faithful to its vocation to be a promise of peace and an anchor of stability to its neighborhood and to the world,” particularly at a time when the contours of a new global security architecture are being redrawn.

The president of COMECE, Bishop Mariano Crociata of Italy, insisted on the need for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and warned against “a shameful spectacle” that falsely portrays the victim as the aggressor.

The response of the European bishops comes in the wake of the tense meeting on Feb. 28 between U.S. President Donald Trump and the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in the Oval Office. During the televised meeting, Trump and Vice President JD Vance reproached Zelenskyy for his alleged refusal to cooperate in the efforts for peace and for even “playing with World War III.” Trump warned Zelenskyy that he would withdraw U.S. military support for Ukraine and on Tuesday the Trump administration put a temporary pause on the aid.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.