U.S.-Russia summit ignored key moral questions in Ukraine war, archbishop says

Archbishop Borys Gudziak. / Credit: Screenshot from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 18, 2025 / 13:34 pm (CNA).

At the United States-Russia summit, leaders failed to face “the fundamental moral and geopolitical questions” regarding the war in Ukraine, said Archbishop Borys Gudziak, adding that “until they do Ukrainians will be paying the ultimate price.”

On Aug. 15, U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Alaska to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine. While the leaders described the meeting as “constructive,” it ended without a resolution.

The following day, Gudziak, who serves as the metropolitan archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, released a “blunt” statement on the controversial summit.

“A genocidal war criminal — who speaks explicitly about his aggressive intentions to re-conquer the countries that freed themselves from the atheistic Soviet yoke — was welcomed on American territory and given red carpet treatment,” Gudziak said in his statement.

“The desultory discussions did not lead to a single concession on the part of the aggressor,” Gudziak wrote. “Having ordered another barrage of deadly bombings on the day of the summit he was allowed to stand together with the president of the United States before a press conference backdrop ‘Pursuing Peace.’”

He added: “The worst did not happen, those standing for freedom and the innocent citizens of Ukraine were not sold out — but the cause of freedom, justice, and peace was not advanced.”

Gudziak ended his statement with a spiritual reflection. 

“There is a great illusion that the mighty of this world determine history, decide our fate. They do indeed have an impact, more often than not negative,” Gudziak said. “But the truth is that we are in the Lord’s hands and his truth will prevail.”

“And as David stands against Goliath, we’ve seen one miracle after another. And that miracle is the life, resilience, and solidarity of the little ones who are willing to risk everything for the truth — the truth of human dignity, the truth of God-given freedom, and the truth that evil will not prevail.”

Prior to the meeting, Trump told Fox News: “I won’t be happy if I walk away without some form of a ceasefire.” But following the summit, Trump changed his mind after speaking with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and other European leaders. 

He wrote in a post to Truth Social: “It was determined by all that the best way to end the horrific war between Russia and Ukraine is to go directly to a peace agreement, which would end the war, and not a mere ceasefire agreement, which oftentimes do not hold up.”

Trump is scheduled to further discuss the matter with Zelenskyy on Aug. 18 at the White House.