Russian ceasefire was ‘space for peace’ say Quakers
‘We cannot let cynicism and mistrust stop us from taking hold of this potential for peace.'
The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FoR) has said that the Russian-announced ceasefire in Ukraine last weekend to mark Orthodox Christmas was ‘an opportunity to create space for peace to flourish’.
John Cooper, director of FoR, put out a statement as the thirty-six-hour ceasefire was supposed to begin at noon on 6 January, saying the occasion ‘marks the first pause by Russia in 45 weeks of fighting’.
He continued: ‘We cannot let cynicism and mistrust stop us from taking hold of this potential for peace. It’s up to Russia to sustain its promise of a ceasefire and up to the world to ensure the fighting will not resume. If we can make the ceasefire hold, negotiations can start for a peace that respects Ukraine’s borders and delivers justice for human rights abused. War will always continue unless we take every opportunity to create space for peace to flourish.’
The announcement came hours after Vladimir Mikhailovich Gundayev,, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, called for a Christmas truce in Ukraine, appealing to ‘all parties involved in the internecine conflict’ for the ceasefire, so that ‘Orthodox people can attend services on Christmas Eve and the day of the Nativity of Christ’.
However, there were soon reports of continued shelling in eastern Ukraine on Friday with at least two people reported to be killed and eight in the region wounded.
The FoR has held a weekly prayer for peace in Ukraine, with the Methodist Peace Fellowship, Church and Peace and Cymdeithas Y Cymod, every week since the conflict started. It happens at 7.30pm on a Friday night and all are welcome.
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