The weight of years spent ministering to soldiers in the trenches of Ukraine is reshaping the spiritual outlook of Father Andriy Zelinskyy, the chief military chaplain of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. Speaking to audiences in the United States, including ROTC cadets at Fordham University and U.S. Army chaplains, Zelinskyy has consistently emphasized the urgent need to defend the truth about the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Zelinskyy’s ministry has been continuously adapted since the initial Russian incursions began in 2014, with the annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of fighting in southeastern Ukraine. He noted that for the soldiers he serves, the current full-scale invasion is not a sudden event, but an escalation of a long-standing conflict. His role, he explained, is to aid troops maintain their humanity amidst the brutal realities of war.
Recent addresses, including one delivered on March 2, 2023, at Fordham University, focused on the importance of countering narratives that might lead to a premature acceptance of territorial concessions in exchange for peace. “If you’re ready to sacrifice thousands of Ukrainians, then let’s make peace, OK,” Zelinskyy stated, according to reports. “But this is not a peace. Peace requires justice.” He has voiced concerns that Russia’s ultimate aim is not merely territorial gain, but the eradication of Ukrainian identity.
Zelinskyy’s perspective is informed by a deep understanding of the political landscape, having served as an advisor to the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church since 2018 and as a lecturer at the Ukrainian Catholic University. He is as well a published author specializing in spirituality during wartime. He has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s stated goals for Ukraine involve the complete dismantling of Ukrainian nationhood and the suppression of any opposition to Russian control, citing the establishment of re-education and “filtration” camps for Ukrainian civilians.
The chaplain’s message extends beyond the battlefield, recognizing the critical importance of public opinion in both the United States and Europe. With elections scheduled in all three nations in 2024, Zelinskyy has stressed the need to actively combat disinformation and ensure that the truth about the war reaches a wider audience. He believes that the fight for international support is as vital as the military struggle for territory.
In a February 22, 2026, interview, Zelinskyy spoke of the fragility of humanity he witnesses daily in the trenches, offering a spiritual perspective on the enduring conflict. His observations come as fighting continues, particularly around the city of Bakhmut, where Ukrainian forces are facing intense pressure from newly mobilized Russian troops, including those recruited from prisons.
As of February 23, 2026, the Biden administration’s level of support for Ukraine remains a subject of debate within the U.S. Congress, with some members expressing reservations about continuing what they characterize as a “blank check” approach to aid. The Ukrainian government has yet to respond to these concerns publicly.
