"Ukrainian Christians argue that Trump should not disregard their faith-based connection, considering them as the European equivalent of the Bible Belt"
In the evolving landscape of European politics, a significant debate is unfolding among Ukrainian evangelicals and analysts regarding the relationship between the United States and Europe, particularly in the context of the Trump administration's influence on Ukraine and its stance on religious freedom compared to Russia and China.
The #OneMoreYearEF campaign, spearheaded by Evangelical Focus, aims to address a sustainability challenge facing the organisation and its mission across Europe and beyond. Jim Memory, co-leader of the Lausanne Movement Europe, has predicted that the year 2025 could witness geopolitical shifts akin to those seen in November 1989, emphasising the need for Evangelical Focus to adapt to these changing times.
Ruslan Kukharchuk, a journalist and leader of the civil movement 'United Together for the Family', has urged the United States and the conservative White House administration to stand up for Ukraine, often referred to as the "Bible Belt of Europe" due to its large church communities, including Baptists and Greek Catholics, and its higher number of Orthodox Christians than Russia. Kukharchuk believes that there are reasons for the new US administration to seek the good of Ukraine, given its contrasting stance on religious freedom compared to more repressive regimes.
However, Ukrainian leaders and religious representatives stress the importance of Ukraine's involvement in decisions affecting its future, advocating for "No decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine." This stance reflects a desire for sovereignty and respect in geopolitical affairs, and criticises the Trump administration's perceived tactical siding with Russia in some ways.
Ukrainian evangelicals and analysts also watch closely the political shifts in Europe, such as Germany’s new conservative leadership advocating for greater European autonomy and less U.S. intervention. They recognise the potential for a "two-speed Europe" with a core military union supporting Ukraine and regional stability, but remain wary of sidelining Ukraine or weakening Western unity against authoritarian threats from Russia and China.
Despite these complexities, Ukrainian evangelicals express unease at some Trump administration dynamics seen as favouring Russian interests. They advocate for a stronger European military role, greater respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, and continued transatlantic cooperation grounded in shared conservative Christian values to counter authoritarian influences from Russia and China.
The current perspective involves a delicate balancing act between reliance on US leadership and emerging European strategic independence. As negotiations between the new Trump administration and Russia were scheduled to begin, the future of this relationship remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Jim Memory has recently emphasised the need for Christians in Europe and the US to listen and understand each other, as the general context of growing coldness could affect relations between Christians on either side of the Atlantic.
For more information about the #OneMoreYearEF campaign and Evangelical Focus's mission, visit their website.
- In light of the evolving geopolitical landscape, the #OneMoreYearEF campaign, spearheaded by Evangelical Focus, aims to address sustainability challenges while adapting to potential political shifts, such as the predicted 2025 religious and geopolitical upheavals reminiscent of November 1989.
- As Russian and Chinese repressive regimes contrast starkly with the Trump administration's stance on religious freedom in Ukraine, Ukrainian evangelicals and analysts call for a stronger European military role, greater respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, and continued transatlantic cooperation against authoritarian threats, while remaining alert to any dynamics perceived as favoring Russian interests.
