ETHNICITY
Historically there has been lots of merging of different cultures in the areas in and surrounding Ukraine. Some were peaceful combinations of culture while others were violent takeovers. Regardless, each interaction contextualizes the complex relationship the area has had with identity because it is littered with so many different ethnic and religious groups throughout its history. So when looking at the more contemporary Ukrainian conflicts, while religion and ethnicity may not always be the primary catalysts it is evidently a complicating factor. This is how many political scientists contest that religion should be taken seriously in international diplomacy; working towards peace depends on the cooperation of various ethnic-religious communities and their willingness to engage in self reflection and critical problem solving.
RELIGION
As tensions threaten to split the Orthodox Church and alienate Russia from the Catholic world due to tensions, the religious aspects of the conflict have not frequently been covered by the American media.
In the aftermath of the Russian annexation, most of Kievan Rus became firmly Orthodox. In contrast, the westernmost part of the country remained under Catholic Austria, eschewing Russian rule. As a result, the Ukrainian-speaking lands were split religiously, paving the way for a series of conflicts in the 20th century between Ukraine and Russia that continue to this day.
Ukrainian and Russian nationalism as well as their respective churches have close ties, which give the current conflict an important religious dimension. Russian President Vladimir Putin has given his blessing to the Russian war in Ukraine, according to the National Catholic Reporter. Russian invasion is viewed by the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church as a direct attack on its existence by the Russian Orthodox Church to integrate the church into the ROC, given the ROC’s past presence in Ukraine.
The Orthodox Church of Ukraine views the conflict with Russia as a matter of survival, much like the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. “According to Religion News, Russia has justified its invasion in part as an attempt to reunite Ukraine with its Russian brother.” (The Long History Of Russo-Ukrainian Religious Conflict) A statement by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow justified Russian’s “special operation” in Ukraine as part of a holy war against what is seen as failed Western liberalism and moral degeneration.
Citations
Sosa, M. G. (2022, March 22). The long history of Russo-Ukrainian religious conflict – grunge. Grunge.com. Retrieved May 9, 2022, from https://www.grunge.com/806113/the-long-history-of-russo-ukrainian-religious-conflict/?utm_campaign=clip
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https://billtammeus.typepad.com/my_weblog/2019/11/11-18-19.html