UKRAINE — The situation in Ukraine is more tense each and every day. Romania asked for the consolidation of the NATO Eastern flank and this action has taken place these past few days, as a defensive response to the crisis provoked by Vladimir Putin. Also, Romania was visited by the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, who assured the Romanian people that the anti-missile system in Deveselu has a strict defense role, just like the purpose of the Nord Atlantic Alliance is. Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the fact that NATO, for over 70 years now, proved to be capable to protect and defend the allied countries. Let’s watch together a short part of the speech that Jens Stoltenberg had in a joint press statement together with President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis.

Jens Stoltenberg – Secretary General of NATO:

Our task is to preserve peace. We are doing that today by making sure that there is no room for misunderstanding or miscalculation about our commitment and readiness to protect Romania and all other NATO Allies. This is even more important in light of Russia’s unjustified military build-up in and around Ukraine, including in the Black Sea region. The Black Sea is a region of vital strategic importance to NATO. Three NATO Allies are littoral states, as are our close partners Ukraine and Georgia. So security in this region is of utmost importance to NATO. We are committed to dialogue and to find a political solution.

Adina Muntean:

That was Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO. About the situation in Ukraine and how the Christians over there are dealing with it, we want to find out more from Vasea Bilia, dean at the Biblical College “Voice of the Gospel” from Cernăuți, Ukraine.

Welcome to Alfa Omega TV News, Mister Vasea Bilia, tell us what is the situation in Ukraine right now? You are in Ukraine and we want to see how you are doing over there. Just a few days ago, President Biden predicted that any day now Russia will move in to Ukraine, what is your country’s pulse?

Vasea Bilia – Dean at the Biblical College, Voice of the Gospel, Cernăuți, Ukraine:

I want to say that the atmosphere around here is tensed, but not as badly as you can hear on the news. There is a lot of manipulation from mass-media about what is happening around the country, but the churches are praying. This is our duty, to pray and to fast in these times, but the panic and the manipulation, you can see a lot in mass-media, first of all. Of course we can not say that everybody in Ukraine is living in peace and harmony, because all of this news is making the people panic and to be afraid. And yes, there are people who are afraid right now.

Adina:

What is the Christians answer to all the panic that was created around this problem?

Vasea:

The Christians answer is very simple, we even had a press release on this subject from the Pentecostal Community from Ukraine where we encouraged all the churches and all the people in Ukraine to pray. We are praying and we are fasting for three weeks already. So ever since then, all Ukraine is praying and fasting, the churches are at work. This is our answer to this situation.

Adina:

If anybody is thinking about helping Ukraine in a way or another, what is your biggest need in these times? How can we help you, if we can do that…

Vasea:

They can pray. If Romanians want to help, or if any church wants to help, they can join in prayer for Ukraine. How to pray? Just like they would pray for themselves, for their country, that is the way they should pray for Ukraine. But if I were to give a prayer reason, I would say to pray for the wisdom of the politicians. The ones who are in charge of the country in such a time like this. Wisdom so they can reach an agreement in a diplomatic way, this is very important. Because nobody wants bloodshed, this is very painful. Ever since the conflict started in Ukraine in 2014, around 14,000 people have died. This is why I am saying that, if we come before God, let’s pray for the ones who lead Ukraine and not only our country, everybody involved in this process of negotiation, to be able to gain peace in a diplomatic way.

Adina:

We are praying and I want to emphasize that we believe that a strong prayer can change things and even the thoughts and plans of a man such as Vladimir Putin. I would have a final question, what is your personal belief in these trying times for your country, what is your position as a man of God?

Vasea:

From my point of view, it’s not that bad as they announce it. Even though a conflict is a real thing. But I think that maybe we are talking about a conflict at the level of information, and not military one. Our strong belief is to pray, this is the thing I am sure about, that we have to pray and ask God for peace.

Thank you so much for your time and answers. We are praying for Ukraine, for the peace and stability of Ukraine and everybody is praying that this whole situation come to an end very soon. It was live at Alfa Omega TV News Vasea Bilia, dean at the Biblical College “Voice of the Gospel” from Cernăuți, Ukraine.

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