Excerpt from a speech by His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk at the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies in Toronto on February 25. 

In the great Canadian tradition of welcoming those who have suffered at the hands of violence and evil, Canada has received nearly 300,000 displaced Ukrainians since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. Your unity as a nation indicates a resolve to welcome the stranger and to stand against tyranny and international aggression. Your support contributes to achieving a just peace for Ukraine. For the goodwill and hope that Canada has shared with us, I express the profound gratitude of all Ukrainians. 

(On Feb. 24), the world marked the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In two days, we will also mark 11 years since Russia’s initial act of aggression, its claim to Crimea and war in Donbas. Today, we stand potentially at the doorstep of yet another year of air raid sirens; another year of carnage, terror, and death. What will succeed in forcing Putin to abandon his plans: plans to destroy my people, my country, my Church; to obliterate an international order based on law and human rights, and to exploit what he purports to be the “impotence of the democratic world?” After three years of war, I can say with certainty: only our moral clarity, our unity in courage, and our joint decisive action, by God’s grace. 

This war has turned into a deadly marathon in which Ukrainians must sprint — not run — to avoid defeat. Today, I ask you to run with us — fast, firm, and fearless — toward a just peace. I come to you as a pastor of the Church, to encourage you to understand the true meaning of a just peace, and how your words, your actions, and your prayers can contribute to a safe and peaceful future for Ukraine and, in turn, for the West. 

A year ago, the bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine published a letter to encourage their people during this time of strife. We emphasized that whatever force Ukraine uses against its enemy must be done in defense of the innocent and vulnerable, and that the highest priority for Ukraine on the path to ending the war is a just peace. 

On this path toward a just peace, the Government of Canada (along with other Western nations) has generously donated billions of dollars for Ukrainian defense, economic, and humanitarian needs. Canadians may rest assured they are backing a just resistance and that your aid is used properly and most effectively. Your contributions protect the innocent and provide for vulnerable Ukrainians across the country, of whom there are 13 million,a full 30 per cent of the population. For this life-saving generosity, the people of Ukraine are deeply grateful. 

However, a just peace for Ukraine requires not only material support, but a unshakeable and unbending commitment to defending the truth. Ukrainians need the clear eyed recognition by Western states of the type of violence that is being perpetrated against the victim. Throughout this war, lies have multiplied about the Ukrainian people, and foreign actors have used these distortions to excuse — and even support — Russia’s actions. These lies, beyond the bombs and the ammunition, have caused devastation to Ukraine, the Ukrainian people and their identity….

My Canadian brothers and sisters, I understand that a war happening thousands of kilometers away can be hard to comprehend. I understand that you may believe that the stakes are not as high for you as they are for the millions of Ukrainians who do not know what tomorrow will bring. But I want to tell you that this war is closer to Canadians than you may think. 

New Ukrainian immigrants to Canada, whom you have welcomed and integrated into your schools, workplaces, churches, and communities, bring this reality home. Scores of Canadian volunteers have also risked their lives to care for those in Ukraine. The war in Ukraine is an offense against world peace, which is a value Canadians hold dear and work to promote around the world….

(C)ontinue your generous, tangible solidarity. Almost 13 million people in Ukraine are in need of humanitarian assistance. Ukraine is halfway around the world, but the Ukrainian people are suffering and need the support of those who enjoy peace…. 

Throughout the past century, Canada has been a loyal and faithful friend to peoples and countries in need of peace. Looking to our friends in Canada, we seek additional strength to triumph over injustice.