THE WAR ON UKRAINE

Truth Under Siege by the Fifth Column

As discussions about ending the war in Ukraine continue, much of the conversation has taken a troubling turn. Instead of focusing on holding the aggressor accountable, the world’s attention seems to be shifting toward what Ukraine should give up to secure peace. If we are serious about pursuing real peace, one that is just and lasting, then we must begin with the truth.

This war did not start because of a diplomatic failure, a political miscalculation, or Ukraine’s actions. It began because Russia forcibly attempted to seize what was not theirs. Ukraine did not seek war. Ukraine was invaded. That is the truth, and any narrative that suggests otherwise is not only misleading but dangerously irresponsible.

And why does this war continue? Because Russia refuses to stop. Every day, Ukraine’s defenders fight for their homes, their families, and their nation’s very survival. Every day, innocent civilians suffer under missile barrages and drone strikes. Not long ago, I walked through the ruins of a shopping centre that had been devastated by Russian missiles. What was once a place of daily life and commerce, a place where families gathered, where children laughed, was now a scene of twisted steel, shattered glass, and ash. I stood there, momentarily at a loss for words, trying to process the scale of destruction. And then, as if on cue, the air raid sirens rang out again. This is Ukraine’s daily reality.

Yet in much of the international discussion, the burden is being placed on Ukraine to make concessions. Why? Why are world leaders engaging Russia at negotiating tables before consulting Ukraine? Why is there a growing expectation that Ukraine must surrender parts of its sovereign territory for the sake of "pragmatism"? If Russia is rewarded for its invasion, if it is treated as an equal partner despite being the clear aggressor, then this war will not end. It will pause. And when the moment is right, Russia will return, stronger and emboldened, to take more.

The road to peace cannot be built on false compromise. True peace must be built on truth and justice. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9). But peacemaking does not mean appeasement. It does not mean allowing injustice to stand unchallenged. It means standing firm for what is right, refusing to let truth be drowned out by political expediency, and defending the oppressed against those who seek to erase them.

For 18 years, GCS has been ministering in Ukraine, standing with communities long before this war began, and we will continue to stand long after it ends. Over the past three years, since Russia launched its unprovoked invasion, we have worked tirelessly to provide aid, support the displaced, and share the hope of Christ with those searching for meaning in the midst of devastation. And despite everything, the Gospel is advancing. People are turning to Jesus in record numbers, realizing that when everything else is stripped away, He alone remains.

And this is why we cannot remain silent. Some argue that Ukraine must be "realistic" and accept the loss of its occupied territories. But for those on the outside, these may be just lines on a map. For Ukrainians, those lines represent homes, churches, schools, entire communities; places where generations have lived, worked, and worshipped. What has been stolen is not just land; it is identity, freedom, and dignity.

As Christians, we are called to speak truth in a world that often prefers convenience over conviction. This war is not just a military conflict, it is a battle between truth and deception, justice and oppression, freedom and tyranny. We must stand in the gap.

GCS will continue to serve in Ukraine. We will continue to proclaim the Gospel. And we will continue to stand for truth. Let us not grow weary in doing good. Let us pray, not for a hollow peace that rewards aggression, but for a just peace that restores what has been stolen. And above all, let us point people to the only true peace this world can ever know: the peace that comes through Jesus Christ alone.

The world is watching. The church must respond. Truth must prevail. The situation is critical, but God is still moving. Together, we can be His hands and feet in Ukraine. Let’s not turn away.

Video:

https://youtu.be/AhEq_vJTE-A

Appeal:

https://www.gcsmissions.com/ukraine-appeal

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