His Beatitude Sviatoslav Meets with the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Ukraine
On June 4, 2024, the Father and Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav, met with the Ambassador of the Netherlands, Mr. Jennes de Mol, who is completing his diplomatic mission in Ukraine. The meeting was held at the residence of the Head of the UGCC in Kyiv.
During the meeting, His Beatitude Sviatoslav and Ambassador Jennes de Mol discussed a wide range of issues, focusing on the causes of Russian aggression and ways to achieve peace in Ukraine, the humanitarian situation and the role of the Netherlands and the UGCC in supporting the Ukrainian people.
Mr. Jennes, who specifically studied Ukrainian during his stay in Ukraine, emphasized his support for Ukraine and assured further assistance from the Netherlands. He also expressed interest in continued cooperation with the UGCC.
First of all, His Beatitude Sviatoslav thanked the Ambassador for learning Ukrainian, calling it “a manifestation of great respect for our people.” The Primate also noted that the war in Ukraine has become not only a struggle for the Ukrainian’s existence but also a confrontation between two visions of the future: imperial Russia and a peaceful, democratic Ukraine.
The Head of the UGCC described the Church’s efforts to provide spiritual support to Ukrainians, particularly through the pastoral care for the grieving and healing the wounds of war, as well as providing humanitarian aid and advocating for the Ukrainian cause internationally. He emphasized the importance of international solidarity with Ukraine.
They also discussed the upcoming Peace Summit in Switzerland, which should become a platform for finding a peaceful resolution to the Russian-Ukrainian war. His Beatitude Sviatoslav noted that the summit will offer an opportunity for participating states worldwide to collaboratively work out the principles of a future peace formula based on respect for international law.
The Head of the UGCC expressed concern about erosion of international law. “No one argues about the sovereignty of small countries, including the Netherlands, but about geopolitical interests, not about the rights of sovereign states, but about the geopolitical interests of world powers! And it poses a real danger. That is why the joint search for a peaceful formula is pivotal not only for Ukraine but for the whole world,” the Primate emphasized.
Agreeing with this statement, the Ambassador of the Netherlands added that one of the priorities for his country, which hosts the International Criminal Court in The Hague, is to investigate and convict Russia’s war crimes and therefore establish justice.
Mr. Jennes de Mol noted that he is completing his diplomatic mission with great empathy for Ukraine. “Among all the countries where I have been ambassador, Ukraine is the hardest to leave. I feel like a part of Ukrainian society,” he said.
“Ukrainians expect that you will not leave us,” added His Beatitude Sviatoslav in conclusion. “We will endure pain, but it is important for us to be sure that this pain is not in vain. It is important for us to know that the world is with Ukraine. Not only to thank Ukrainians for their courage, but to be with us, to help us, to visit us.”
The UGCC Department for Information
