"Ukraine has always been the spiritual granary of Eurasia."
For two decades, Ukraine has been holding prayer breakfasts in Washington, and now it is betting on a shared Christian identity with the conservative audience in the U.S. Does this approach help influence real political decisions? Translation of the material from Politico.
In search of stable support from the U.S., Ukraine is increasingly appealing not only to security guarantees or shared democratic values but also to religious identity. In Washington, Kyiv promotes the idea that Ukraine and the U.S. are connected not only by strategic interests but also by a common Christian tradition.
This emphasis is particularly noticeable against the backdrop of the political transformation in the U.S. and the growing influence of conservative religious circles in the Republican Party.
Can faith become a powerful tool of diplomacy? Forbes Ukraine highlighted the main points from Politico's material.
Ukrainian Prayer Breakfast as a Diplomatic Platform
Last week, the Ukrainian prayer breakfast took place at the Washington Hilton – the day after Donald Trump spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in the same hall. The event itself is traditional; Ukraine has been holding it in Washington for two decades. However, this time it took on a pronounced political tone, writes Politico.
Among the guests was Pastor Paula White, senior advisor to the newly established "Office of Faith" at the White House. "Ukraine, we understand what this struggle is about. And on a personal level, I understand it – both spiritually and in real terms," White said, addressing the Ukrainian delegation.
Her participation was a symbolic signal. It indicates the current political environment's receptiveness to religious arguments, according to evangelical activist, documentarian, and former congressional staffer Stephen Moore. "Paula White's presence is an acknowledgment that the common values of Ukraine and the MAGA movement are faith," Politico quotes Moore.
Traditional arguments about defending democracy are becoming less effective among parts of the conservative electorate, he believes. "Democracy has been used as a tool against MAGA, and it is associated with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Faith, on the other hand, is understandable to people," adds Moore.
"Church Diplomacy" and the Religious Front
The change in approach is not accidental. It is a conscious strategy, notes Pavel Unguryan, an evangelical leader and former member of the Ukrainian parliament. In November, a partnership agreement was signed between the Baptist General Convention of Texas and the All-Ukrainian Union of Churches of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, he points out. "Ukraine has always been the spiritual granary of Eurasia. We are trying to convey this message to our brothers and sisters in the biblical belt, in conservative communities in the U.S.," says Unguryan.
This is not only about official diplomacy but also about so-called church-to-church diplomacy – direct connections between communities, writes Politico.
During "Ukrainian Week" in Washington, there were meetings in Congress, events at the Museum of the Bible, and discussions involving Republican lawmakers. "Unfortunately, some MAGA supporters fall for Russian propaganda and do not realize that Russia is waging war against Ukrainian evangelical Christians and Catholics," admits Republican Congressman Don Bacon.
Moscow is also actively using religious rhetoric, promoting the thesis of "persecution of believers" in Ukraine. Russia tries to present itself as a "victim of religious persecution," although it is actually the aggressor, Politico quotes Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley.
Does Betting on Faith Work?
The example of 2024 shows that the religious channel can yield results. At that time, Baptist communities in the U.S. and Ukraine appealed to House Speaker Mike Johnson to support additional aid to Kyiv. As a result, the bill was brought to a vote, writes Politico.
At the same time, the effectiveness of such an approach has its limits. Congress has yet to agree on new sanctions against Moscow, and negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow have not led to a peace agreement.
"Please, never tire of believing and defending light and life," Politico quotes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's words from his video address to the participants of the prayer breakfast.
Zelensky's rhetoric fits into the overall strategy: to present the Russian-Ukrainian war not only as a conflict over territories or spheres of influence but also as a struggle of values, notes Politico.
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