Evangelical leader Franklin Graham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, offering prayers for peace as the Russia-Ukraine conflict escalates and diplomatic efforts stall.
At a Glance
- Franklin Graham met with President Zelenskyy at the European Congress on Evangelism in Berlin
- Graham prayed for Zelenskyy, Putin, and Trump, calling for divine wisdom and peace
- Zelenskyy thanked Samaritan’s Purse for humanitarian aid to Ukrainian civilians
- Graham’s gathering is the largest evangelical summit in Europe since 2000
- Zelenskyy proposed a Trump-Putin-Zelenskyy summit to end the war
Historic Meeting Focuses on Prayer and Peace
During the European Congress on Evangelism—held for the first time in 25 years—Franklin Graham met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin to pray for peace. Graham, head of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, later told reporters, “I prayed for President Putin, I prayed for him [Zelenskyy], and I prayed for President Trump — that God would give them wisdom and a path forward for peace.”
Graham added that the war’s complexity defies political solutions alone: “I believe only God can solve this,” he said in a Fox News interview. His remarks came as Russia intensified attacks in Ukraine and Western nations debated ramping up military aid.
Faith Meets Diplomacy
President Zelenskyy thanked Samaritan’s Purse for its humanitarian aid, particularly in the areas of health care and support for displaced children. He also voiced gratitude for support from the American people and acknowledged former President Trump’s efforts, indicating openness to broader U.S. engagement.
Zelenskyy used the occasion to propose a trilateral peace summit involving himself, Putin, and Trump. The bold proposal underscored Ukraine’s push for unconventional diplomatic avenues as traditional channels falter.
Global Evangelical Community Reunites
The Berlin congress brought together more than 1,000 evangelical leaders from 55 countries and 13 nations represented on the speaker roster. The gathering, translated into 10 languages, is the most significant global Christian event of its kind since the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s 2000 congress in Amsterdam.
“There hasn’t been a gathering of this kind since the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s congress in Amsterdam in 2000,” Graham said. “What a moment for Europe, and what a time to boldly proclaim Christ,” according to Fox News.
As geopolitical tensions mount, this summit underscores how faith communities—through humanitarian aid and moral diplomacy—are seeking to contribute to global peace. With the war in Ukraine grinding on, leaders like Graham and Zelenskyy are turning to prayer not just as solace, but as a call to action.
