The Head of the UGCC in Riga in Week 244 of the War: When Energy Resources Are Prioritized Over Human Life, Negotiations Are Doomed to Fail
In international negotiations on energy resources, the fate of real people must be taken into account, not just economic or political interests. His Beatitude Sviatoslav, Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, stated this in his traditional weekly video address during the 244th week of Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine.
A child paints a picture by the light of a battery-powered lamp during a power outage. Photo: Suspilne Lutsk
The blood of Ukrainian civilians is once again being shed day and night. Critical infrastructure has become the primary target of Russian strikes on our peaceful cities and villages. The enemy seeks to turn cities inhabited by millions of people into ghost towns,” said the Primate.
However, he added, what pains us most is that such crimes against humanity occurred precisely when the U. S. president announced the so-called “energy ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine.
“When we talk about energy, I ask all of you to remember: we are talking about real people, kindergartens, schools, and hospitals. Agreements must be evaluated first and foremost by the extent to which they alleviate the suffering of the civilian population, rather than merely yield political or economic benefits,” the Head of the Church said.
There is another critically important component of the efforts to deter the aggressor and achieve a just peace: “Ukrainians have a moral right to participate in the decisions and negotiations that determine their future. Ukraine is a subject of international law and cannot be reduced to a mere bargaining chip, especially when certain parties are guided by interests other than the protection of innocent victims in our country.”
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Address by the Head of the UGCC for the 244th Week of the Full-Scale War, October 18, 2026
His Beatitude Sviatoslav calls on all residents of Ukraine and all those who are fighting for truth, justice, and freedom: “It is so important not to surrender to moral discouragement, and it is even more important not to allow that discouragement to turn into moral indifference. The inconsistency of influential nations does not negate the values of freedom and truth, for which we are paying the highest price today—the price of our own lives.”
During his pastoral visit to Latvia, the Head of the Church thanked Archbishop Zbigniew Stankevich of Riga for his care for Ukrainians in Latvia: “This relatively small country has taken in nearly 80,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. I would like to thank our clergy, community leaders, and activists for being a clear voice for Ukraine today, one that speaks to the conscience not only of the Baltic states but of all Europe.”
The UGCC Department for Information
