USCCB President on Anniversary of Ukraine’s Voluntary Relinquishing of Its Nuclear Arsenal

WASHINGTON – Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement commemorating the thirtieth anniversary of Ukraine’s voluntary relinquishing of its nuclear arsenal, highlighting the country’s courage in envisioning a world free of nuclear weapons. 

“Thirty years ago today, on December 5, 1994, in a truly prophetic gesture in favor of global peace, Ukraine voluntarily relinquished its nuclear arsenal, the third largest in the world at that time. The Russian Federation, the United States, and the United Kingdom pledged to respect the ‘independence, sovereignty, and the existing borders of Ukraine.’ France and China variously echoed these promises. Unfortunately, this pledge was broken by the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the invasion in 2022. As the bitter conflict rages, with mounting civilian deaths and widespread displacement, we commemorate the time when the Ukrainian people opted for life, liberty, and peace, courageously envisioning a world free of nuclear weapons.  

“Recently, as Ukraine marked 1,000 days since the invasion began, Pope Francis wrote to the Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, to express his solidarity with the suffering people of Ukraine. We join our Holy Father in reaffirming his call for peace when he said, ‘It is this word – peace – unfortunately forgotten by the world today, that we would like to hear resound in the families, homes, and squares of dear Ukraine.’” 

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