In a speech that has sent shockwaves through diplomatic and religious circles, former US President Donald Trump offered a stunning endorsement of Vladimir Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine, describing the Kremlin's war aims as fundamentally "religious" and "holy".
The controversial remarks were delivered to the conservative Orthodox Christian group, the Society for the Russian Brotherhood Organization, at their headquarters in New York. Trump's address, which aligned closely with Russian state propaganda, has been met with immediate and fierce condemnation.
Trump's Alignment with Kremlin Narrative
The former president framed the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian casualties, as a spiritual crusade. "He's saving... and he's going to make a deal and he's saving... really, the religious heritage and the religious, you could say, the religious school or the religious institution," Trump stated, struggling to articulate his point while firmly backing Putin's motives.
This portrayal starkly contrasts with the widespread international view of the war as an unprovoked act of aggression. World leaders and international bodies have consistently condemned Russia's actions as a blatant violation of international law and Ukrainian sovereignty.
Furious Backlash from Ukrainian Religious Leaders
The response from Ukrainian authorities was swift and scathing. A spokesperson for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) lambasted Trump's comments, stating they "cause disgust" and accusing him of being a "tool of Russian propaganda."
The OCU, which gained independence from the Russian Orthodox Church in 2019, represents a crucial element of Ukraine's national identity and resistance against Russian influence. The church's forceful rebuke underscores the deep offence taken at Trump's characterisation of their nation's suffering.
The Deepening Schism in Orthodox Christianity
Trump's speech highlights the severe and ongoing split within global Orthodoxy, a schism that has been dramatically widened by the war. The Russian Orthodox Church, led by Patriarch Kirill, has fervently supported Putin's invasion, framing it as a "metaphysical struggle" against Western decadence.
In contrast, the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine and other major Orthodox leaders have condemned both the war and the Russian church's support for it. This religious divide mirrors the geopolitical fault lines that have defined the conflict.
Analysis: The Implications of Trump's Remarks
Political analysts suggest these comments are highly significant, indicating the foreign policy stance a potential future Trump administration might adopt towards Russia and Ukraine. The praise for Putin's "holy" war marks a dramatic departure from the current US administration's firm support for Kyiv.
Furthermore, the speech risks providing legitimacy to the Kremlin's false narrative that its invasion is a defence of traditional Christian values, a claim used to justify the immense human cost of the conflict.
The incident reinforces the deeply polarising nature of Trump's political career and his continued willingness to challenge established international norms, aligning himself with autocratic leaders while criticising traditional Western alliances.
