International Leaders Gather in Kyiv for Third National Prayer Breakfast

More than 1,500 participants from 17 countries gathered in Kyiv on August 23 for Ukraine’s third National Prayer Breakfast. The event, held under the patronage of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, brought together military chaplains, families of fallen soldiers, and political figures, including the President of Lithuania and the Prime Minister of Estonia. The assembly took place one day before Ukraine’s 35th independence anniversary and marked the 1,642nd day of the ongoing conflict with Russia.

During the gathering, World Evangelical Alliance Secretary General Rev. Botrus Mansour led a prayer in Arabic, urging the global community to remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine. President Zelenskyy addressed the attendees, emphasizing that the greatest threat to the nation is international fatigue regarding the war. He highlighted the importance of unity across diverse faiths and nationalities, stating that prayer serves as a unifying force during times of crisis. The President also criticized Russian efforts to restrict religious freedom, framing the current struggle as a defense of the right to worship.