The recent Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland made headlines when the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Eastern Orthodox Church was initially listed as a signatory. However, following protests from Turkey, the patriarchate was removed from the list, sparking outrage in the country. Despite Patriarch Bartholomew attending the summit only as an observer, his presence and inclusion in the communique caused controversy in Turkey, as Ankara does not recognize the patriarchate’s “ecumenical” title under the Lausanne Treaty.
Turkey’s Disapproval
Tensions rose when Turkey officially requested an explanation from Switzerland and raised concerns about the presence of Israel and the Greek Cyprus administration at the summit. As the diplomatic row continued, the patriarchate was eventually removed from the signatories list under pressure from Ankara.
Significance of the Patriarchate
Despite the backlash, the Ukrainian official emphasized the importance of the patriarchate in providing a religious voice for Orthodox Christians in Ukraine, especially following the historic split from the Russian Orthodox Church in 2019.
Looking Ahead
As the fallout from the summit continues, the incident highlights the delicate balance of international relations and religious autonomy in the region.