Three Years of Ukrainian Resistance: A Continued Struggle
On February 24, 2025, Ukraine marked the somber milestone of three years of fighting back against Russia’s invasion.
The ongoing conflict has taken a severe toll on the Ukrainian people.
According to United Nations reports, over 12,600 civilians have lost their lives, including more than 2,400 children.
The war has caused widespread destruction, with more than 10% of the country’s housing damaged or destroyed, forcing over 2 million families to flee their homes.
Hope Amid Destruction: The Role of the Church
In the midst of such overwhelming destruction, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the apostolic nuncio to Ukraine, has stressed the importance of hope.
He emphasized that despite the pain, hope remains the only refuge for the people enduring this devastation.
“Pope Francis declared the Jubilee Year of Hope, and in the face of such a brutal war, hope is all that remains,” Kulbokas explained.
“Military chaplains have shared with us that soldiers are clinging to any message of hope, as it is the only thing that sustains them.”
During an interview with ACI Prensa, the archbishop described Ukraine as a nation marked by daily suffering.
Reflecting on the third anniversary of the war, he noted, “For us, every day is a day of war; this date does not feel special.
We are living in a constant state of conflict.”
The Psychological Impact of War
As the war has dragged on, Ukrainians have gradually adjusted to the new reality of constant violence.
“In the early days of 2022, bishops were uncertain whether they would survive another day,” Kulbokas recalled.
“Now, while the war is still incredibly intense, we have learned to live with it in a more psychologically peaceful way.”
Despite this, the constant attacks continue to take a toll.
“I can’t remember the last night without a drone attack,” he lamented.
“Missile strikes may be less frequent, but drone attacks have become a daily occurrence.”
The Dire Situation of Prisoners and Civilians
One of the most pressing concerns for Kulbokas is the plight of prisoners of war and civilians held by Russian forces.
“Thousands of prisoners are enduring unimaginable suffering under inhumane conditions,” he said.
He shared the heartbreaking testimony of Ludmila, a 60-year-old woman who was tortured in a Russian prison for nearly three years.
“She was tortured for weeks without sleep, to the point where she couldn’t tell truth from lies.
She ended up signing documents without knowing what she was agreeing to.”
The lack of systems to secure the release of detained civilians has worsened the crisis.
While there is a system for exchanging military prisoners, no such process exists for civilians.
“The situation for civilians is much more desperate,” Kulbokas pointed out.
Vatican’s Role in Humanitarian Efforts
Despite these challenges, Vatican diplomacy has been actively involved in efforts to ease the suffering of Ukrainians.
The Holy See, in collaboration with international initiatives like “Bring Kids Back UA,” has worked to bring back children who were forcibly deported by Russian forces.
Kulbokas explained that, through quiet diplomatic efforts, the Vatican has managed to bring several dozen children back to Ukraine.
Pope Francis himself has been instrumental in establishing channels for negotiations, especially concerning the return of children.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, a key envoy of the Pope, has been pivotal in facilitating talks between Ukraine and Russia.
However, Kulbokas noted that these negotiations are slow and challenging, particularly when dealing with prisoners and detained civilians.
“Russia often considers many of them to be Russian citizens, making it difficult to apply international systems for their release,” he explained.
The International Community and the Future of Peace
Kulbokas also criticized the international community’s failure to effectively address the conflict. “There are no international structures capable of resolving this war,” he said. “Europe initially thought this was not its problem, but wars that aren’t taken seriously at the start only grow in scope.”
Despite the challenges, the apostolic nuncio holds out hope for a diplomatic solution.
“Peace must be a global effort.
It can’t be left to just one or two powerful nations to decide the fate of Ukraine,” he said.
“The entire international community must be involved.”
With the future of support from the United States uncertain, particularly with the recent rhetoric from former President Trump, Kulbokas refrained from engaging in political debates.
“Ukrainians feel that politicians say one thing today and something entirely different the next,” he observed.
“What they expect from the Church is a clear moral stance: that aggression is wrong, and that life must be defended.”
The Church’s Mission in Times of Crisis
Above all, Kulbokas reminded the faithful that the Church’s mission is to proclaim the message of life, peace, and justice.
“It’s important to stay focused on the mission of the Church, which is to uphold the dignity of life, regardless of the political situation,” he said.
Even with the uncertainty surrounding the war, Kulbokas remained steadfast in his belief that international mediation is the key to ending the conflict.
“If we leave the resolution to just the great powers, the solution will not be just,” he concluded.
“The only hope is for the international community to unite and end this war.”