Americans in general, and Orthodox Christians in particular, want the Ukraine War to end. President Trump campaigned heavily on the issue of ending the war, promising a swift halt to the fighting followed by a lasting peace. The Russians have been trying to negotiate an end to this conflict since before it even began (see the Minsk I & II agreements which NATO never allowed Ukraine to honor). The Russians have quantifiable, limited aims that they have made clear will be achieved either on the battlefield or at the negotiating table, with a preference for the latter.

The willingness to negotiate an end to the conflict on Russia’s part exposes Barbara’s “Holy War” comment for the lie it is. Americans associate “Holy War” with either a crusade or a Jihad. The term smacks of an all-out, existential conflict that only one side is going to survive. It would be characterized by the desire, blessed by a deity, to completely destroy or, at the very least, completely conqueror the opponent. Kiev is still standing, even after massive drone strikes carried out in retaliation for Ukraine literally attempting to assassinate Russian President Putin. In five days between May 20-25 2025, Ukrainians fired the largest barrage of drones and missiles recorded so far during the conflict into Russian territory. Including at the Russian President’s helicopter. Russian sources have said they believe the reason for the massive attack was to derail peace negotiations. The Russian retaliation came on May 24 and 25, lasting for more than six hours and causing extensive damage. https://orthodoxreflections.com/no-more-rocor-coffee-for-sister-vassa/