With helicopters humming overhead and traffic restricted south of Berlin’s Tiergarten, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the German capital transformed the city’s central district into a high-security zone on Wednesday.
Just around the corner, across the street from Germany’s defense ministry, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) was holding its European Congress on Evangelism, with more than 1,000 pastors and evangelists from 55 countries.
And Franklin Graham, president of the BGEA and the nonprofit Samaritan’s Purse, had a surprise announcement.
“Today I had the privilege to meet with President Zelensky and have prayer with him,” he said. “I prayed for President Putin, I prayed for [Zelensky], and I prayed for President Trump—that God would give them wisdom and that God would give them a path forward for peace.”
The ministers applauded and some shouted, “Amen!”
Graham acknowledged the path to that peace is far from straightforward, reiterating the need for transformed hearts.
“The complications in Ukraine and Russia, these are very difficult, and I believe only God can solve this,” he said.
The evangelist then invited the gathered crowd to stand and pray out loud in their own “heart language.” The Christian leaders all got on their feet, lifting their voices in prayers for peace.
The meeting comes as the Russian military has re-escalated attacks on Ukraine with intensifying air raids and increased use of drones. Russia’s TASS state news agency also reported this week that nearly 175,000 people have signed Russian army contracts since the beginning of the year, signaling the possibility of a renewed push on the ground.
Zelensky, meanwhile, was in Berlin to seek additional aid from Germany and made a joint announcement with Chancellor Friedrich Merz that Germany plans to assist with long-range missiles to strengthen the defense of Ukraine.
Across the Atlantic, United States president Donald Trump expressed deepening frustration with Russian president Vladimir Putin’s resistance to cease-fire proposals. He warned Putin that he was “playing with fire.”
Graham has a relationship with Trump, which he described in a press conference before the congress as “very friendly.” He said he supports the president’s efforts “trying to help” end the war in Ukraine, “trying to get them started at least talking to one another, and that’s so important.”
Graham has also tried to help. In Berlin, he said he has written to Putin, encouraging him to push for peace. The evangelist met the Russian leader in person ten years ago. He said he was impressed with Putin’s determination: “When he says he’ll do something, he’ll do it.
This spring, Graham connected with Zelensky, speaking to him on the phone following the Ukrainian president’s disastrous Oval Office meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance. The Ukrainian president shared his hopes for steps “toward a just and lasting peace” and his commitment to a US-proposed cease-fire.
After the conversation, Graham said in a social media post he urged Zelensky “to call for a national day of prayer” in Ukraine.
“So many lives have been lost,” Graham posted on X at the time. “We need God’s help.”
Graham’s organization Samaritan Purse has also been active in Ukraine, working through a network of local churches to distribute aid to people in need.
Despite the previous conversations between Graham and Zelensky, their meeting in Berlin was not planned in advance. When the congress was organized, Zelensky’s visit had not yet been scheduled.
Christian leaders at the congress were surprised and excited to learn of the meeting. Evangelists from countries impacted by the war said they deeply appreciated the opportunity to join with Christians from across Europe—and across geopolitical divides—to pray for peace.
The congress has drawn leaders from around the continent, including nations that are more closely allied with Russia and countries that are supporting Ukraine. During the opening session, however, when the Ukraine flag was presented as part of a parade of nations, the country was met with a roar of applause.
Graham encouraged the “church of Jesus Christ” in Ukraine, in Russia, and around the world to “stand together in prayer.”
Mariusz Muszczyński, a pastor in the southern Polish city of Opole said his church has a special time to pray for Ukraine and Russia every Sunday, with prayers being offered in Ukrainian and Russian by people from the respective countries.
“Behind them is a screen with pictures of different soldiers who are related to our refugees,” said Muszczyński. “It’s very moving and brings tears to our eyes.”
Amid the fears and sorrow, Muszczyński said, there is also joy and reconciliation.
“In this tragedy, we find joy. We find friendships. We find growth. We find community together,” he said. “We suffer together as well. We love together. We cry together. We pray together.”
Armenian pastor Gor Mekhakyan, who leads a congregation of about 1,000 in Moscow, said he has noted an increased anxiety as the war has dragged on over the past three years. Many, he said, have been coming to churches looking for solace and support amid the fear of continued escalation and conflict.
He was happy to join Graham and other evangelicals from across Europe in prayers for peace.
Ukrainian evangelist Adriy Alekseyev was also encouraged. He said the public recognition of concern from Graham and the meeting with Zelensky mean a lot to Ukrainians who are weary of war.
“It’s been a long time,” Alekseyev said. “We want peace for our country. And for Russians too.”
David Karcha, another evangelist and pastor from the war-torn country, told the Christians gathered at the congress that thousands of people are professing faith in Christ and getting baptized in Ukraine—more than anyone has seen in 15 years.
“In a time of peace, the gospel is powerful, but in a time of war, it is unstoppable,” he said in Berlin. “God is igniting a desperate search for hope. No politician … can offer what Christ can give.”
