Turkey demands explanation for Phanar's signing 'Peace Summit' Communiqué
Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: nv.ua
Turkish authorities have requested explanations from the organizers of the Swiss peace conference on Ukraine due to the inclusion of the Ecumenical Patriarch in the list of signatories to the joint declaration.
Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Onjyu Keçeli, denied reports that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew participated in the summit and held bilateral meetings with Turkey's Foreign Minister.
"The reports stating that the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate participated in the peace summit on Ukraine held in Switzerland on June 15-16, 2024, with state status, and that Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held an official meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew on the sidelines of the meeting, do not reflect reality. We have demanded explanations from Switzerland and Ukraine, as organizers [of the conference], regarding claims that the name of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate was later added as a signatory to the joint communique following the summit," the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement said.
Keçeli underscored that Turkey's state policy regarding the Phanar remains unchanged. Turkish authorities have repeatedly stated that they do not recognize Bartholomew's title as "Ecumenical Patriarch", noting that according to the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, he retains the status of the head of the Greek Orthodox community in Turkey.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that Zelensky thanked the head of the Phanar for signing the 'Peace Summit' communique.
Read also
At the Zimne Monastery, an event was held in support of families of fallen soldiers
The Holy Dormition Monastery in Volhynia hosted an event to support mothers and loved ones of servicemen killed in the war.
Great schema tonsure performed in Mohyliv-Podilskyi Eparchy
The rite of tonsure into the great schema at St. Paraskeva Church in Mohyliv-Podilskyi was performed by the secretary of the Vinnytsia Eparchy.
UOC’s Myltsi monastery brethren appeal to U.S. authorities for protection
The monks of the St. Nicholas Monastery in Volhynia are asking J.D. Vance and Anna Paulina Luna to defend their rights and help prevent their possible eviction.
Teen who set fire to synagogue sentenced in Kryvyi Rih
A court sentenced a minor to two years of probation supervision after he admitted guilt and compensated for damages caused by the arson of a synagogue building.
"KyivPride" organizers announced dates for holding LGBT march in capital
Activists plan to hold mass events in June 2026.
Monastic tonsures performed at Kyiv Theological Academy
The Rector of the Kyiv Theological Schools, Archbishop Sylvester, tonsured four students of the academy and seminary into monasticism.