Days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire in his country’s war with Russia, the leader spoke to Franklin Graham about efforts to obtain “a just and lasting peace.” Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, shared on March 14 that he urged Zelenskyy “to call for a national day of prayer at this critical time.”
In a social media post recapping last Friday’s phone call, Graham added, “I would encourage this not only for the people of Ukraine, but also for the people of Russia and around the world—that the church of Jesus Christ stand together in prayer for peace.”
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“So many lives have been lost,” he said. “President @realDonaldTrump is right—this war must end. We need God’s help.”
Today I spoke with Ukraine’s President @ZelenskyyUa. I urged him to call for a national day of prayer at this critical time. I would encourage this not only for the people of Ukraine, but also for the people of Russia and around the world—that the church of Jesus Christ stand…
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) March 14, 2025
Ukrainian President: ‘We Value Franklin Graham’s Voice’
Zelenskyy also posted about the conversation, thanking Graham “for his support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, humanitarian aid, and the important guidance” during the three-year conflict. Zelenskyy said the two men talked about the March 10 meeting in Saudi Arabia between U.S. and Ukrainian delegations.
“Our state seeks peace more than anyone,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media, “which is why Ukraine accepts the United States’ proposal for an unconditional 30-day full interim ceasefire.” Although the Ukrainian leader called that “a good step to save people,” he warned that “Russia is looking for various excuses to avoid ending the war.”
Zelenskyy concluded, “We value Franklin Graham’s voice and rely on his support. Thank you for your prayers for Ukraine and peace.”
Days later, on March 17, Zelenskyy expressed impatience with the lack of progress on the ceasefire. “It’s clear to everyone in the world,” he wrote, “that it is [Russian President Vladimir] Putin who continues to drag out this war.”
The proposal could have been implemented “long ago,” Zelenskyy posted, adding that people are dying daily. “The unconditional ceasefire proposal is essentially about saving lives, allowing diplomats to work on ensuring security and a lasting peace—the proposal that Russia is ignoring,” he stated. “Pressure is needed to finally make Moscow accept that their war must be brought to an end.”
Trump and Putin Discuss Ukraine War
Zelenskyy issued that plea ahead of the Tuesday (March 18) phone call between Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. The two leaders were expected to discuss topics such as territorial concessions by Ukraine and control of a Russian-occupied nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
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