Did you know the head of the Russian Orthodox Church is a former KGB agent and multimillionaire who made his money in smuggling?

Or that its priests routinely bless the missiles, drones, and weapons used against innocent Ukrainian civilians everyday?

Even other Orthodox Church leaders, not to mention Pope Francis and Pope Leo, have condemned the Russian Orthodox Church's actions.

Hear how Russia has used the church as yet another tool of its imperialistic aggression.

Rostyslav Pavlenko is a Ukrainian politician, member of Ukrainian parliament, scientist and public figure. In 2015-2019, he was the coordinator of state efforts to assist the Ukrainian Orthodox in unification, recognition and obtaining Tomos (certificate) of Autocephaly (church independence). Successfully led negotiations with the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Primates and clergy of the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches, and Ukrainian church notables. Upon successful obtaining of the Tomos of Autocephaly, was decorated by the President Petro Poroshenko with the Order of Liberty.

Listen in from the man who helped Ukraine achieve its independence from the Russian Orthodox Church and make it its own Orthodox Church as recognized by Constantinople.

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It's an unfortunate reality but its true: the primary obstacle in US politics today to supporting Ukraine comes from the Republican Party. It's been strange to see the party of Reagan hesitant to stand up to Russia and support a democratic ally in its quest for freedom.

Why is that?
And ultimately should the US support Ukraine?

To answer these questions, I had on the show Larry Provost, a conservative columnist, Republican, US veteran, Trump supporter AND major supporter of Ukraine.

Hear not only all the reasons why the US should support Ukraine, but also why he believes Trump, his administration, and much of the right in the US have been hesitant to support Ukraine to date. Listen in also to hear why Provost is optimistic that the Trump administration will be more supportive going forward.

Larry Provost is a conservative columnist and commentator based in Washington, D.C. A 26 year military Veteran who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, he is a graduate of the U.S. Naval War College, George Washington University, Liberty University and Regent University. His work has appeared in Townhall, Newsmax, The Daily Caller, The American Spectator and other Conservative publications.

You can find the article mentioned in the podcast that Provost wrote here: https://www.newsbreak.com/newsmax-325020896/4084331020836-why-u-s-helping-ukraine-defeat-russia-makes-fiscal-sense

To learn more, visit:

https://ubn.network/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/

Not many people know Canada has one of the largest Ukrainian populations abroad. And this fact has helped make Canada one of the most supportive countries of Ukraine in the Western world.

To understand the strong level of engagement Canada has here on the ground in Ukraine, I had the pleasure of having a very engaging discussion with Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Natalka Cmoc, whose positivity and vibrance was thoroughly inspiring.

Ambassador Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine. Amb. Cmoc was appointed Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine in August 2023. Earlier, she completed field research in Ukraine and Russia, including implementing Canadian technical assistance projects in Ukraine in the 1990s. She served as a counsellor for technical cooperation at the Embassy of Canada to Ukraine from 2011 to 2013, working on democracy and human rights programming. She then joined Global Affairs Canada’s Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force, where she was responsible for establishing the first security programming in Ukraine following Russia’s 2014 invasion. In 2015, she moved to the Department of National Defence and, in 2020, she became director general in the Science and Parliamentary Infrastructure Branch at Public Services and Procurement Canada.

Amb. Cmoc covered loads of topics, from what it's like operating an embassy in Ukraine during the war, to various programs Canada is involved with beyond defense, to women entrepreneurship and women's critical role in the economy at this difficult time.

Here is a link to the fashion brand of Ukrainian clothing started by the Ukrainian woman entrepreneur mentioned in the podcast - https://www.instagram.com/svilamiya/

They ship abroad to please have a look!

To learn more, visit:

https://ubn.network/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/Mark-McNamee/