The Russian authorities violate the rights of Ukrainian ethnic minorities living in the country. So stated the ex-head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Borys Tarasiuk in the parliament last Wednesday, reports religion.in.ua with reference to the New Region.
He mentioned as arguments the searches conducted in the Ukrainian library in Moscow and closing of two public organizations of the Ukrainian diaspora according to a court decision in Russia.
"There are facts of violation of the rights of the Ukrainian national minority in Russia," said Tarasiuk.
In addition, he complained that they do not allow in Russia to open churches of the Kyivan Patriarchate and Greek Catholics.
"UOC-KP and UGCC are deprived of a possibility to conduct services in places intended for that," stressed Tarasiuk.
He believes that the problem can be solved by opening a chapel in the Ukrainian cultural center in Staryi Arbat.
According to Tarasiuk, the mentioned facts are in violation of the "Great Agreement" on the part of Russia.
"Unlike Russia, Ukraine has always strictly observed the provisions of the agreement," stated Tarasiuk.