A memorial wall outside St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv honors Ukrainian soldiers who died in the war with Russia. Thousands of individual photos line the wall with flowers and other offerings left on the sidewalk below.

Wartime Kyiv

Wartime Kyiv is a short documentary that delves into the intricate origins of the conflict in Ukraine and the arduous journey toward peace. Discover the potential for renewed peace negotiations in Ukraine and the motivations driving Russian and Ukrainian involvement in the war.

Liberal Peace Productions was born out of the escalating conflict in Ukraine with a mission to advocate for peace. For El Peace Pro, exploring the origins and justifications behind the war through film was a natural progression for the company's inaugural film.

In November 2023, Executive Producer Samuel Teixeira traveled to Ukraine, recording footage and conducting interviews until mid-December. After reflecting on his experiences in Ukraine, Samuel collaborated with Giancarlo Garcia Salazar and Monica Lucas to craft and produce the documentary. Aida Heydari also played a vital role in the production.

Our Team

Samuel Teixeira of El Peace Pro holds a peace sign in Kyiv’s Maidan Square on a snowy day.

Executive Producer, Writer, & Researcher

Samuel H. Teixeira

Samuel H. Teixeira is a producer from Norwich, Connecticut, USA. He earned his BA in Government from the University of Virginia and worked in Washington, DC, before he relocated to Spain in 2019.

In 2021, Samuel embarked on a new path, contributing opinion pieces to renowned outlets like the Hartford Courant and National Interest while nurturing aspirations of becoming a producer. Driven by concerns about waning peace and the fallout from the January 6th riots, Samuel established Liberal Peace Productions in 2023, assuming the helm as executive producer. He authors the ElPeace.Pro digital magazine and fulfills roles as executive producer, writer, and researcher for Wartime Kyiv.

El Peace Pro Co-Director, Film Writer, and Producer Monica Lucas.

Writer, Associate Director, & Producer

Monica Cecilia Lucas

Monica Cecilia Lucas is a screenwriter from suburban California. Monica initially pursued a political career in Washington DC, working for the U.S. State Department and various think tanks, but became disillusioned by the 2016 election and moved to Los Angeles. She has since received her MFA in Writing for Screen and Television from the University of Southern California.

Monica also has experience as a Production Assistant and Showrunner's Assistant, has participated in various fellowships, and is currently writing a narrative podcast with over 40,000 listeners. RBEL and Elevate represent her. Monica is the lead writer, associate director, and producer of Wartime Kyiv.