According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine will no longer allow the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) to act as an instrument of Russia's influence.
He stated this in an interview with Piers Morgan, emphasizing that the Church supporting the ideology of the “Russian world” has no place in an independent state, NV.ua reports.
“The Moscow Patriarchate cares about politics, not faith. They have been working for the Kremlin for decades, spreading pro-Russian narratives, blessing the war and justifying aggression. We cannot allow a structure that is actually part of the Russian propaganda machine to operate in Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
According to the president, the Ukrainian authorities have already taken a number of measures to limit the influence of the UOC-MP. These include:
- depriving the Moscow Patriarchate of control over the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra;
- imposing sanctions against clergymen who collaborated with Russian special services;
- adoption of bills aimed at banning religious organizations affiliated with the aggressor state.
Zelensky emphasized that all decisions are made in accordance with the law, with respect for religious freedoms, but without the right to subvert Ukraine.
“Everyone has the right to believe, but they have no right to use religion as an excuse to work for the enemy. The Moscow Patriarchate has been acting as an agent of the Kremlin for decades, and this has come to an end,” the Head of State summarized.