Joe Biden’s visit ‘shows Ukraine has hope beyond the horrors of the Russian invasion’

The leader of Britain’s Ukrainian Catholic community said US President Joe Biden’s historic visit to Kiev was a “great sign of hope” amid the “horrors” of the full-scale Russian invasion.

Speaking from the western city of Lviv yesterday, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski also praised the “fantastic determination” of the Ukrainian people as they prepare to celebrate a year after the attack began.

Bishop Nowakowski spent just over a week in Ukraine with clergy and staff from the Mudriy Sprava charitable foundation, which provides humanitarian aid in front-line areas.

During his unannounced risky visit to the capital yesterday, President Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin had “failed” in his attempt to “wipe Ukraine off the map”.

The US leader met his counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy and laid a wreath at a memorial wall for those who died fighting Russian aggression since the illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. He will reaffirm his commitment to Ukraine and NATO this afternoon in Warsaw .

Bishop Nowakowski, who will return to the UK today, said: “Joe Biden’s visit shows that the world has not forgotten Ukraine and that the world stands with and behind Ukraine in this terrible war.

“President Biden’s visit to Ukraine is not only symbolic, but also a great sign of hope for the people of Ukraine who have been struggling with this war not only since last year, but since 2014.”

Against a backdrop of air raid sirens, the two leaders laid American and Ukrainian flags at the memorial to fallen soldiers in front of St. Michael’s Monastery on Kyiv’s Mykhailivska Square.

Bishop Nowakowski, who attended the inauguration many times, said: “The monument is an important symbol of Ukraine’s resilience. It is Ukraine’s desire for freedom and democracy and for people who are willing to sacrifice their lives. It shows that Ukraine is not willing to jeopardize its democracy and freedom.”

The bishop, who celebrates the one-year anniversary at Ukraine’s Catholic Cathedral in London on Friday, praised friendly nations for opening their “hearts and homes” to those fleeing war.

“This year has been a time of great tragedy, we have seen the futures of so many young people destabilized,” he said.

“It’s hard for people to plan their future lives when it’s hard to know what’s going to happen tomorrow.

At the same time, the world, and Britain in particular, has opened its hearts and homes to those on the run.

But it also seems, and I notice this especially when I am in Ukraine, that the more Russia exerts its aggression and commits heinous crimes, the more reluctant and warlike the Ukrainian people become.

They want their land and their lives back. Talking to the people who are here, including the elderly and those defending Ukraine, shows the amazing resilience they have.

“Joe Biden’s visit this week will certainly reinforce that.”

Bishop Novakovsky is on his third trip to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion began and has met with members of the pastoral team of the Catholic Church of Ukraine, which he leads. He arrived in Lviv in the early hours of Monday after catching an overnight train from Kiev.

The bishop also attended the episcopal ordination of two bishop friends who had traveled to Hostomel, northwest of the capital, which was liberated by Ukrainian troops at one of the crucial moments in the war so far.

The faith leader first spoke to Metro.co.uk on Feb. 16 last year, when he sent a message of solidarity between Britain and Ukraine as Russian troops gathered at the border ready to invade. The cathedral then became a focal point for refugees, supported by benefactors and Ukrainians who had already settled in London.

On Friday, the pastor will celebrate the one-year anniversary by attending an interfaith prayer service at Mayfair Cathedral.

MPs and diplomats will attend the event, but “anyone of good will” is invited to attend, he said.

This will be followed by a memorial service at the Vladimir statue in Holland Park and a march to the Russian embassy organized by various Ukrainian groups in London.

Bishop Nowakowski said: “In our Friday morning service we will remember these brave young men and women who lost their lives defending Ukraine and we want to pray and comfort those who are still fighting in Ukraine, who are on the run, who are being beaten and in the UK that they are welcome and that we will take care of them and not forget them.

It is time we showed our gratitude to so many people in the UK for their kindness, generosity and hospitality.

It is also an opportunity for us to recognize that the government, along with the opposition and civil servants, has been so remarkable over the past year.

“We will join our prayers with millions of people around the world who will pray for Ukraine.”

Bishop Nowakowski is originally from Canada, but has lived in the UK since his appointment as Ukrainian Eparchyal Bishop of the Holy Family Eparchy in London two years ago.

The cathedral helped respond to the large-scale invasion and also houses the Ukrainian Welcome Centre, a partnership with the Association of Ukrainians in Britain.

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