Hungary and Russia have agreed to work together to protect persecuted Christians in the Middle East and in Syria.
At a joint meeting in Budapest on October 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin raised concerns over the “mass exodus” of Christians from regions of conflict in the Middle East. He announced that alleviating the situation of persecuted Christians is now “a top priority” for Russia, reports Christian news agency, Bos News Life.
We are watching what’s happening to the Christians in the Middle East with tears in our eyes. —Russian President Vladimir Putin
Putin discussed the situation of Christians with Hungary Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and leaders of Middle Eastern churches. Describing the region as “the cradle of Christianity,” the Russian leader said his government will cooperate with Hungary in its efforts to help persecuted Christians.
“Christians are in peril there, facing persecution, being killed, raped and robbed,” Putin said. He vowed that Russia “would do everything” to protect Christians and help restore and preserve worship places and “holy sites.”
Putin told leaders of Middle Eastern churches that, “We are watching what’s happening to the Christians in the Middle East with tears in our eyes.”
Open Doors reported that 1 in 3 Christians in the Middle East and Asia experiences ‘high’ levels of persecution.
Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church, lamented that, “Many times, we feel we are abandoned as Christians of the Middle East. We feel we have no friends. That nobody cares about us.”
Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó claimed that Hungary can assume responsibility for all Christians in the world.
The Minister disclosed that since the creation of Hungary Helps, the government’s humanitarian aid program, the European nation has spent $40 million in helping displaced Christians rebuild their homes and lives in the Middle East, reports Hungary Today.
Szijjártó believes that, “Europe’s security today begins with the security and stability of the Middle East and North Africa.”
