Franklin Graham Meets Zelenskyy in Berlin to Offer Prayer Amid Rising Russia-Ukraine War Tensions

Franklin Graham, president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse, met on Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin. The meeting took place during a critical period in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and coincided with a major international religious gathering.

During their conversation, Graham offered prayers not only for President Zelenskyy but also for Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Sharing the moment on social media, Graham wrote, “Today I had the privilege to meet with President Zelenskyy and have prayer with him. I prayed for President Putin, I prayed for him [Zelenskyy], and I prayed for President Trump — that God would give them wisdom and that God would give them a path forward for peace.” He added that the situation remains extraordinarily complex, expressing his belief that only divine intervention could bring about a true resolution.

President Zelenskyy, addressing the humanitarian response, expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from Samaritan’s Purse. The organization has supplied aid to children, displaced families, and medical institutions across Ukraine since the outbreak of the war. “We are very grateful for the strong support from the American people, the White House and President Trump,” Zelenskyy said. “Thank you for your prayers and for helping people.”

The meeting unfolded against the backdrop of increased Russian military aggression in Ukraine, with reports of intensified ground and air assaults. Both sides have escalated their use of drones, and Germany recently revealed plans to bolster Ukraine’s defense by supporting domestic missile production. These developments underscore the continuing volatility of the region and the urgent need for diplomatic solutions.

In an effort to end hostilities, President Zelenskyy has proposed a trilateral summit involving Trump and Putin. However, prospects for direct peace talks remain uncertain, as recent efforts have stalled.

Graham’s visit to Berlin was timed to coincide with the European Congress on Evangelism, marking its return to the city for the first time in 25 years. The event drew more than 1,000 pastors and ministry leaders from 55 countries, rallying under the banner of being “unashamed of the Gospel,” a phrase inspired by Romans 1:16. Addressing the assembly, Franklin Graham stated, “There hasn’t been a gathering of this kind since the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s congress in Amsterdam in 2000. What a moment for Europe, and what a time to boldly proclaim Christ.”

The congress traces its roots to Billy Graham’s first World Congress on Evangelism, held in Berlin in 1966, where the elder Graham envisioned the city as a launching point to take the Christian message worldwide. Throughout the current congress, more than 20 speakers from 13 countries are scheduled to contribute, while worship is being led by Grammy-winner Michael W. Smith, Charity Gayle, and leading Christian musicians from across Europe. Organizers have arranged for the event to be translated into 10 different languages.

Marc Van de Wouwer, a Belgian evangelist and retired federal investigator, reflected on the significance of the gathering, recalling how the 2000 Amsterdam congress reignited his passion for ministry. “At the time, there were very few evangelists in Belgium,” he shared. “That event reignited my passion, and now I’m coming back to help invest in the next generation.”

As diplomatic, humanitarian, and faith-based leaders convene in Berlin, the search for solutions and support for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine continues, both on the ground and through spiritual appeals for peace.