Supreme Lama Of Kalmykia: Truth Is On The Side Of Ukraine

This is the first public statement of such a level by a leader of a traditional confession in Russia.

Thelo Tulku Rinpoche (Erdni Ombadykov), the Supreme Lama of Kalmykia, said that the truth in the war is on the side of Ukraine as it defends its land. This is the first public speech at such a level by the leader of Russia's traditional confession to condemn the military aggression, Radio Svaboda reported.

"I think it is wrong, this war is not necessary. Moreover, we live in the XXI century - everyone wants to live in peace, order, each country wants to develop... I think that the Ukrainian side is right indeed - it defends its country, its land, its truth, its Constitution, its people. It is very difficult to say and accept that Russia is right. It is very hard to say, I can't do it," said the Supreme Lama of Kalmykia.

Thelo Tulku Rinpoche stressed that until this moment he had not commented on the war in Ukraine because he "did not want to spoil relations between the authorities and our Buddhists". At the same time, he believes that leaders of Buddhist communities in Russia who support the military aggression are unlikely to think so sincerely if they are true Buddhists.

Thelo Tulku Rinpoche was unavailable for comments on Sunday. He is now in Mongolia, where he is holding meetings with Kalmykians who emigrated from Russia after the war began, and also helping them to organize accommodation.

In mid-June, Thelo Tulku Rinpoche had already made an anti-war statement in his address on the occasion of Buddha's birthday, but without any specific reference to the Ukrainian events.