Kovalska: UOC-MP's withdrawal from Moscow's control must be made within the law

Deputy Head of the Presidential Office for Humanitarian Affairs Olena Kovalska said this in an interview with Ukrinform.

“It is necessary to create appropriate conditions (for the UOC-MP to withdraw from Moscow's control - ed.), and this must be done within the law. The law provides for a 9-month delay, so there is ample time to think,” Kovalska said.

She noted that in August of this year, the Law of Ukraine, “On Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Activities of Religious Organizations,” was adopted, which should make it impossible for churches to operate under Russia's control.

“For this law to work, a certain number of governmental bylaws must be adopted. Religious organizations suspected of cooperating with the Russian Orthodox Church will be checked by an expert commission, which is to be created by the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience. These steps require time, and the law provides for nine months, after which it can be fully applied,” the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office noted.

As reported previously, on August 20, 2024, the Verkhovna Rada adopted the Law “On Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Activities of Religious Organizations” (draft law on amendments to certain laws of Ukraine on the activities of religious organizations in Ukraine No. 8371), which prohibits the activities of religious organizations in Ukraine affiliated with the Russian Federation.

On August 24, this document was signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky.