Tucker Carlsen’s interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, left evangelicals wanting regarding matters of faith from the leader who continually speaks about family values. In this article, Christianity Today links many sources that can help one to understand the struggles of various perspectives of local faith leaders whose lives have been upended by the war in Ukraine. This deep dive into the history of faith in Ukraine, the destruction of communities of faith, and details the struggles of those displaced and the countries who have received them. Nevertheless, the deep faith of Ukrainians continues to give them strength.

Christianity Today invited Ukrainian evangelical leaders to comment on any religious remarks conveyed. Seven stated they had no intention to watch what one called a “propagandist” in conversation with “the killer of my people.”

Putin gave them little to work with during the two-hour interview.

He described the coming of Christianity to Eastern Europe within a nearly uninterrupted half hour answer detailing Russian history, during which he called Ukraine an “artificial state.” Pressed how as a professing Christian he could order violence, Putin spoke only of Russia’s “moral values.” And probing the head of state’s personal faith, Carlson asked Putin if he saw God at work in the world.

“No, to be honest,” the Russian president replied, after a pause. “I don’t think so.”

CT has provided extensive coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war, including descriptions of the polarized American public, Russian-American pastors combating propaganda, and advice for interpreting misinformation no matter the source.

To understand any conflict requires knowledge of its background. CT has published articles about how Christianity came to Ukraine and Russia, the 160-year spiritual history behind today’s divide, and why Ukraine calls upon Michael the archangel. Concerning more contemporary pre-war history, CT covered Ukrainian politics and the efforts of evangelicals to win influence, in addition to the tomos of autocephaly that gave ecclesial independence to one-half of Ukraine’s Orthodox church.