We categorically reject the attempts of the Russian Orthodox Church to influence the development of relations between Ukraine and the Vatican, - ambassador Yurash

This was reported on Facebook by the newly appointed Ambassador of Ukraine to the Vatican.

"We categorically reject the attempts of the Russian Orthodox Church to influence the development of relations between Ukraine and the Holy See, in particular, to question the possibility and relevance of the visit of the Roman Pontiff to Kyiv," the note says.

We also drew attention to the statements of Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) in an interview with RIA-Novosti about "discrimination" and "persecution" in Ukraine. We were particularly surprised to hear this against the background of systematic persecution of representatives of various religious groups in the temporarily occupied Crimea by the Russian occupiers' administration. As part of the hybrid war, the Russian side, with the help of the Church, spreads insinuations and tries to impose false narratives in the Ukrainian religious environment.

Despite all the threats and challenges associated with the ongoing Russian aggression, our state consistently adheres to the policy of tolerant coexistence of representatives of all religious denominations, strengthening dialogue between them on the basis of mutual respect.

Ukraine guarantees compliance with the principles of freedom of conscience at the legislative and practical levels. This is evidenced, for example, by the productive meeting of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky with the heads and representatives of religious communities – members of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, which took place on December 17.

In fact, in this approach, Ukraine represents a sharp contrast with Russia, where international experts record hundreds of cases of violation of the principles of freedom of conscience. According to the conclusions of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, the Russian Federation is classified as one of the 14 countries of the world "of particular concern."

As part of any discussions that Russia conducts abroad, it should not talk about Ukraine, but clearly explain the violations of freedom of conscience that are recorded both in Russia itself and in the Ukrainian territories occupied by it: in the Crimea and in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions."