Deputy Ionut Vulpescu, president of the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO), spoke at the International Conference 'Resisting Empire, Promoting Peace' organized by the Conference of European Churches (CEC) in favor of adopting a clear and principled position regarding the nature of the religious and social impact of the 'political games' orchestrated by the Russian Federation.

'This meeting must take a clear and principled position on the nature of the religious and social impact of the political games played by the Russian Federation. What we see is not just a regional conflict, but the deliberate reactivation of an imperial and colonial doctrine based on territorial expansion, domination and the systematic denial of national sovereignty. The ongoing war against Ukraine represents the most brutal and visible expression of this imperial reflex, which could at any time extend to others. Russia's behavior reflects a classic pattern of colonial conduct: the dehumanization of neighboring nations, the denial of their historical legitimacy and the attempt to impose political, cultural and civilizational subordination. Such narratives are not accidental - they are carefully constructed instruments of aggression that go beyond the symbolic. They prepare the ideological ground for occupation, forced integration and the destruction of democratic self-determination,' Vulpescu declared at the meeting held on Monday at the Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki.

In his opinion, equally 'alarming' is the systematic instrumentalization of Orthodox Christianity for state propaganda and military aims.

'Religious language is used as a weapon to legitimize conquest, bless violence, and promote a dangerous myth of Russia as a providential or 'messianic' power, invested with an alleged divine mandate to dominate others. This fusion of imperial ambition, colonial ideology, and the instrumentalization of religion is one of the most dangerous political configurations possible. It transforms military aggression into a so-called sacred duty and converts international crimes into acts falsely presented as moral or spiritual missions. European history has already shown us repeatedly the catastrophic consequences of such alliances between political absolutism and religious manipulation,' said the IAO president.

He stressed that, for these reasons, the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy must 'firmly' and 'unequivocally' condemn 'Russian imperialism', its colonial practices and the 'cynical exploitation of the Orthodox faith for the purposes of war and domination'.

'There can be no ambiguity in the face of aggression, no relativism in the face of massive violations of international law, and no tolerance in the face of the sacralization of violence. Our duty is to stand with the victims of this aggression, with the sovereignty of nations, with democratic values and with the international legal order. Silence or hesitation at such a moment does not mean neutrality, but complicity,' Vulpescu pointed out.

At the same time, he reaffirmed the 'unwavering support' of the organization he leads for Finland.

'The integrity of its territorial borders, its religious identity and its cultural pluralism will be constantly valued, defended and represented in all our official actions. As a sign of appreciation for Finland and in recognition of its political and spiritual resilience in recent years, the next IAO General Assembly will take place in Helsinki, in June next year,' Vulpescu announced.

The International Conference 'Resisting Empire, Promoting Peace' was organized by the Conference of European Churches, together with the leaders of the Orthodox Church and the Lutheran Church in Finland, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, academic institutions and religious, political and cultural leaders from across Europe. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Popescu; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)