February 21 and 22, 2014 were the most turbulent and rapidly changing 24 hours that we have ever lived through. Based in Eastern Ukraine, we watched first-hand how Ukraine went through a national political revolution that shocked us all by its power and pace.
The revolution followed weeks of street protests and violence after the previous regime, under pro-Russian President Victor Yanukovich, rejected the signing of an Association Agreement with the EU last November, choosing Russian help instead. This sparked initially peaceful demonstrations on the Maidan (‘square’ in Ukrainian) in support of European integration for Ukraine, but these morphed into anti-corruption and pro-democracy forces after heavy-handed police tactics to beat peaceful students with riot squads in the middle of the night.
Over 100 dead
What happened over the following two months was played out on all of our TV screens, as over 100 people lost their lives and thousands were injured in the volatile conflicts on the streets of a European capital. Most of the initial clashes were restricted to Kiev, as the previous regime struggled to contend with the overwhelming uprising of ordinary Ukrainians who wanted a better, less corrupt, European future.
The events of February 21-22 changed everything, when the President first signed a compromise agreement, then fled the country without implementing it. In his absence, a new government and interim leadership were formed with massive parliamentary majorities, ahead of fresh presidential elections on May 25.
Tug of war
Yet peace has not come to Ukraine. This nation has often in history been the rope in a giant ‘tug of war’ between East and West, and Russia has now tugged hard from the East with massive counter-revolutionary force. Following Russia’s military incursions and annexation of Crimea, Ukraine’s southern peninsula, the nation faces fragmentation, with the threat of further military incursions into the Eastern mainland (where we serve). The UK and US cannot help but be involved, as they signed up to protect Ukraine’s national safety and territorial integrity in 1994 when Ukraine gave up its nuclear arsenal, under the Budapest Memorandum.
Fast-moving situation
Events are moving very fast on the ground. Some have called this the world’s most serious crisis of the 21st century, and unless things de-escalate soon, there is a significant risk of a serious war in this part of Europe.
We were evacuated from Ukraine in early March and feel in great pain about the unfolding situation. Our heart is for the people of God there; for the churches that are so zealous in serving the Lord and winning people for Christ.
How should Christians in the West respond to this crisis?
Beware being deceived
This is not just a battle of troops or territory, but an information war of massive proportions. Telling the truth in journalism and seeking the truth in leadership should be a principle that all Christians espouse.
But this is not what is happening in this conflict. It is essential that we do not believe all that we read or see in the media. False information, that can be clearly proved as fabricated lies, is being peddled in many mass media outlets and repeated by others who don’t check their sources well.
For example, the vote of the Crimean parliament to take a referendum on separation from Ukraine was announced as including the votes of many members of the parliament who were not even present in the chamber that day. No voting quorum was present and as such the vote is not valid. We must beware of this deception, carried especially by many Russian state-owned propaganda outlets and channels, available even in the UK.
Recognise the good in society
Whatever happens long term in Ukraine, the events of February 2014 have caused a massive shift in the values of Ukrainian civil society. There is no doubt that there were some unpalatable, nationalistic, even extreme elements to the revolutionary forces that rose up in Kiev to combat corruption and police aggression. But these are not the elements that are ruling or shaping Ukraine today, contrary to much propaganda from certain quarters. The revolution has been called a ‘revolution of dignity’ by some, as a flood of openness and democratic values can be seen like never before, which should help maintain gospel freedoms.
Pray urgently for leaders
Urgent prayer is needed for this situation, which has far-reaching implications for all in Europe. We are called to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2.1-2) and, in such a vulnerable time of crisis, we need world leaders to respond with wisdom, diplomacy and moderation. The church in Ukraine is now earnestly praying for this.
On our central city square at 7am every morning people now meet to cry out to God for his powerful intervention to prevent war. This began with a small group of pastors, and now has grown to several hundred praying each day. Even the BBC reported this on their website recently! Of all the political demonstrations going on at present – surely this is the most significant thing happening on the Maidan.
Stand with our brothers and sisters
As those around the world go through difficulties, we stand with them as one body in Christ. Every day now we speak and pray via Skype with Ukrainian believers who are perplexed, afraid, and feeling vulnerable. Please pray for them, that God would grant them courage and peace, and that their all-sufficiency would be in God at such a time as this.
