Religious persecution is often driven by government restrictions and social hostilities that limit faith practice, as documented in The Price of Freedom Denied. But according to new findings, another powerful driver must not be overlooked: war itself.

“War reinforces religious persecution and violence, creating a cycle in which the deterioration of religious freedom becomes very difficult to stop,” said Brian Grim, Ph.D., President of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation and Global Chair of Dare to Overcome. Writing in Deseret News two years ago, Grim argued that without addressing religion directly, peace will remain elusive.

The Religious Dimension of the Ukraine War

As President Donald Trump and world leaders seek to end the Ukraine war, Grim stressed that the religious dimension must be recognized. He pointed to the way Russian President Vladimir Putin has enlisted the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) as a key ally — both within Russia and abroad, including in the U.S.

Following his recent summit with Trump in Alaska, Putin traveled to Fort Richardson National Cemetery, where he met Alexei, the American Orthodox Archbishop of Sitka and Alaska. The visit provoked condemnation from Ukrainian Orthodox bishops in the U.S., who denounced the meeting as a “betrayal of Christian witness” during a time of war.

Religion as a Condition for Peace

According to the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, Putin’s use of faith in diplomacy is consistent with his longstanding practice of meeting Orthodox leaders worldwide — from China and North Korea to Brazil. Reports indicate that Putin has even raised the defense of the ROC as a demand in any potential peace settlement.

This complicates negotiations since Ukraine has banned all organizations linked to Russia, including the ROC, over concerns about national security and political interference.

Breaking the Cycle

Grim cautioned that overlooking religious freedoms risks undermining peace efforts. “If the religious element is ignored, peace may not be possible,” he said.

The Religious Freedom & Business Foundation has documented how conflict accelerates repression, giving governments and armed groups cover to target minority faiths.

Grim argues that genuine reconciliation must include guarantees of religious freedom: “Peace requires more than an absence of fighting — it requires protecting the rights and dignity of all religious communities.”

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