Welby tells of ‘fear’ Ukraine conflict could drag on like Middle East ‘frozen war’

The Archbishop of Canterbury has said comparisons between the war in Ukraine with the Israel-Palestine conflict represent “a very real and very reasonable fear.”

The Most Rev Justin Welby was amongst a group of religious leaders who travelled to the city of Kyiv on Thursday, when he spoke of his fear that the war in Ukraine could continue for decades.

He also said it would be “immoral” to pressure Ukraine into giving in to Russan terms, in the same way it was to divide up Czechoslovakia to appease Hitler.

Welby and other religious official were forced to shelter in a bunker after air raid sirens sounded as Russian planes were reported nearby, when he spoke of his concern that the Ukraine conflict could mirror that in the Middle East.

Asked by a reporter from The Times if he believed it was “apt” for other religious leader to make comparisons with Israel’s long-running conflict with the Palestinians, he said: “I think it’s a very real and very reasonable fear.

“I think western countries need to realise they will have to show long-term resilience.”

After he left the bunker spoke of his concern the Ukraine conflict could last longer than the Second World War referencing “what people call a ‘frozen’ war, which has moments of great activity, moments of relative calm, but not peace, like the Middle East could last 60,70,80 years?”