Ukrainian Orthodox Church Head Requests US to Provide Modern Weapons

Ukrainian Orthodox Church Patriarch Filaret said during a press-conference on Capitol Hill that the US should provide Ukraine modernized weaponry.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The US government should provide Ukraine with modern defensive weapons, head of Ukrainian Orthodox Church Patriarch Filaret said at a press-conference on Capitol Hill on Thursday.

“We need modernized weaponry. Our generals and army and members of the army are ready to lay down their lives, but we need modernized defensive weapons,” Patriarch Filaret said.

The Patriarch was joined by members of Congress in his appeal to US President Barack Obama to “sign and enact those measures which Congress and the Senate have already passed.”

The 2014 Ukraine Freedom Support Act authorized $350 million for the US president to arm Ukraine.

Patriarch Filaret said the weapons provided to Kiev will not be used against anyone, but will be used “strictly to defend our own land.” He added that the suffering of millions of Ukrainians requires action as words cannot help.

Patriarch Filaret made the press conference call to President Obama after attending the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC on Thursday morning. More than 3,500 religious leaders and policymakers attended the gathering.