This will only lead to horror and misery, says Archbishop

THE ARCHBISHOP of York has called for peace after the Ukraine invasion, condemning Russia’s attack as “a great evil” and backing the Prime Minister’s plans to increase sanctions.

In a joint statement with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Rt Rev Stephen Cottrell, inset, said: “The horrific and unprovoked attack on Ukraine is an act of great evil. Placing our trust in Jesus Christ, the author of peace, we pray for an urgent ceasefire and a withdrawal of Russian forces.

“We call for a public decision to choose the way of peace and an international conference to secure long-term agreements for stability and lasting peace.”

Archbishop Cottrell later backed Boris Johnson’s plans to place further sanctions on Russia following strikes yesterday that killed 40 people.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, he said: “We must call upon Russia to withdraw its troops. There must be a ceasefire. This cannot be the way that we live in our world.

“And so we must pursue the way of peace but of course, right now, our chief concern is for the people of Ukraine, the children and families who are suffering. It is impossible for us to imagine how they are today.

“And we must also do all we can to apply sanctions to Russia but also to provide support for Ukraine.

“We support all diplomatic and economic sanctions to get Russia to change its mind because this will only lead to misery and horror and instability in our world.” Archbishop Cottrell also said the Church was having ongoing discussions about what aid it could provide for Ukrainian citizens.

The two men are encouraging Christians throughout the UK to make Sunday “a day for prayer for Ukraine, Russia and for peace”.

And as events unfold in the Ukraine, a York academic has warned over Vladimir Putin’s unpredictability.

Dr Shane O’Rourke, an expert in Russian history from the University of York, said the Russian president had never been more isolated as he was now and he feared events, once unleashed, could trigger an impact he found impossible to control.

He said: “We should be very worried about this. It’s a devastating and alarming turn of events. This is a terrible moment, not just for Russia and the Ukraine, but for the UK and Europe.”

He went on: “Putin sees himself as this historical figure who is regaining lands lost after the collapse of the Soviet Union. He sees himself as going down in history like the great Russian tsars.

“We are in a very dangerous situation which could become much worse.

“We can’t pretend it’s in a faraway place, in a faraway land that has nothing to do with us.

“It’s very serious and very worrying. This has been a long-time plan. It’s not a spontaneous act. He has been waiting for the right time to strike.

“The big fear is what happens next. Putin will not want war with NATO. The problem is, things take on a life of their own.”