The war between Russia and Ukraine is one of the most polarizing global issues of our time. As an American Christian, I’ve found myself asking not just who’s right, but what’s true. And truth is rarely as simple as the headlines want us to believe.
A lot of people I know — especially those on the left — automatically side with Ukraine because the media tells them to. But many conservatives I know, including myself, want more than a knee-jerk reaction. We want the truth, not a narrative. So let’s break it down: the history, the current conflict, and how we as believers should think about all of it.
1. Russia and Ukraine: A Shared but Strained History
You can’t understand the war without understanding the long, complicated relationship between Russia and Ukraine.
Kievan Rus and Religious Roots
Both nations trace their roots back to Kievan Rus, a medieval state founded in the 9th century, centered around modern-day Kyiv. This early civilization laid the foundation for both Ukrainian and Russian identity. Christianity came to the region in 988 AD under Prince Vladimir of Kyiv — an event both countries see as foundational to their faith heritage.
So yes, there’s a spiritual and cultural overlap that goes way back — but that shared origin didn’t translate into unity.
Imperial Rule and the Soviet Era
Ukraine spent centuries under Russian domination, especially during the Tsarist and later Soviet periods. The most horrifying chapter? The Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–33 under Stalin’s regime that killed millions of Ukrainians. That wasn’t just bad leadership — it was genocide.
After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine finally declared independence. But that independence didn’t sit well with Russia — especially Vladimir Putin, who still views Ukraine as part of the “Russian world.”
2. Flashpoints Before the War: Crimea and Donbas
This isn’t the first time Putin has moved in on Ukraine. In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea after Ukraine’s pro-Russian president was ousted. That same year, Russia backed separatist forces in the eastern Donbas region.
Since then, Ukraine has been in a state of constant, low-level war — even before the full-scale invasion in 2022. For a deeper understanding of global power shifts like this, I wrote about Biblical truth vs. cultural relativism — the lens through which I view all geopolitical events.
3. Why Putin Invaded in 2022
Putin gave multiple reasons for the invasion, and while some of them sound noble, most don’t hold up under scrutiny.
His Main Claims:
- NATO expansion: He accused the West of pushing NATO too close to Russia’s borders.
- “Denazification”: He claimed Ukraine was ruled by neo-Nazis — a baseless charge, especially considering Ukraine’s president is Jewish.
- Protecting Russian speakers: Putin claimed ethnic Russians in Ukraine were being oppressed — another exaggeration.
In reality, this was about control. About empire. About a man who wants to cement his legacy and sees Ukraine as a rogue territory, not a real country. You can read an excellent nonpartisan breakdown of this background in the Council on Foreign Relations’ Ukraine Conflict Backgrounder.
4. The Media’s Role — and the Divide Between Right and Left
This is where things get political. If you watch left-leaning media, you’d think this war is a clear-cut battle between good and evil — and that Zelenskyy is a hero without flaw.
But many conservatives, including myself, are more skeptical. It’s not that we’re “pro-Russia.” We’re just not blind. We know propaganda exists on both sides. We know it’s possible to care about innocent Ukrainians without supporting every move their government makes.
I explored this tension in more detail in The Christian Response to Gender Ideology — where, once again, media framing influences our sense of morality.
5. Don’t Confuse the Leaders with the People
This is critical: Zelenskyy is not Ukraine. Putin is not all of Russia.
Zelenskyy’s Dark Side
Yes, he stayed in Kyiv when he could’ve fled. Yes, he’s inspired millions. But he also has a shady side:
- In 2021, he was named in the Pandora Papers for offshore financial dealings.
- He’s banned political parties and media outlets during the war.
- His government still struggles with corruption, especially in military and humanitarian aid.
We should be praying for Ukraine’s people — not idolizing their president.
Putin’s Regime Is Clearly Repressive
There’s no question Putin runs an authoritarian government. Dissenters disappear. The media is state-run. Political opponents mysteriously die.
But again, many Russians don’t support this war. They’re just afraid to speak out. Let’s not paint with too broad a brush.
6. Is This a Futile War? I Think So.
Here’s my honest opinion: Ukraine can’t win this war outright. Russia has too many resources, too much manpower, and too much will to fight.
So what are we doing?
We’re pouring billions of dollars into a war that’s not likely to end in Ukraine’s favor — all while our own country struggles with crime, debt, and broken borders. It’s not un-American to say that. It’s not un-Christian either. It’s just reality.
7. What Should Christians Think?
Here’s where it gets real for me. What does Scripture say?
Discernment Over Partisanship
Proverbs 18:17 says, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” That’s where many Christians are missing it. They’ve heard one side, and they stopped asking questions.
We’re called to test everything — including political narratives.
Care for the Innocent
Innocent people are dying. Families are being torn apart. Isaiah 1:17 says to “defend the oppressed.” That includes Ukrainians who’ve lost their homes and Russians who are conscripted against their will.
Christianity Today recently covered powerful testimonies from pastors serving Ukrainian churches — a reminder that real people are suffering behind all the headlines.
Pray for Peace
Paul urges us in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 to pray for all leaders — even ones we don’t like. Especially ones who have the power to stop wars.
8. What Should America Do?
I don’t think the U.S. should keep blindly sending aid without accountability. We’re enabling a war that has no end in sight.
And as a Christian, I believe in stewardship. That includes our finances, our resources, and even our political influence. If we’re going to help, it needs to be smart, not sentimental.
9. So What’s the Solution?
If we’re being honest — and biblical — the solution isn’t about “winning.” It’s about ending the war without sacrificing more lives.
Here’s what I believe is the most realistic and moral path forward:
- Ukraine is not going to defeat Russia outright. That’s just not in the cards. Russia’s military and nuclear capabilities far outweigh Ukraine’s, and continued war only leads to more bloodshed.
- The West should push for a negotiated settlement. That may mean Ukraine gives up certain territories like Crimea or agrees to remain neutral from NATO — not as surrender, but as a hard path to peace.
- Ceasefire and diplomacy are the only options that stop the killing and prevent escalation into something even more global.
I say this not as someone who’s pro-Russia — far from it. I say this as someone who believes we’re called to seek peace when war becomes a pit with no bottom. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom.
10. Final Thoughts
I’m not here to defend Russia or glorify Ukraine. I’m here to say that we need truth — not tribalism. We need wisdom — not war cries.
And we need to remember that as Christians, our first allegiance isn’t to a political party or a foreign nation — it’s to Christ. And Christ calls us to be peacemakers, truth seekers, and defenders of the innocent.
Let’s not lose that in the noise.
Arch Kennedy
Bold, Unfiltered, and Unafraid
Is America Under God’s Judgment?
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