Officials from Moscow have urged international organizations to press Ukraine into reconsidering a plan to ban the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). The assertion was conveyed by Gennady Askaldovich, the special representative of the Russian foreign minister for cooperation in upholding religious freedom. The message appeared on the official site of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and reflects Moscow’s position on the issue as it relates to Ukraine’s constitutional and international obligations toward freedom of religion.
The core message from Askaldovich centers on the expectation that Kyiv adhere to widely recognized international documents that affirm the state’s duty to foster the harmonious development of religious communities and protect the freedom of citizens to practice their faith. The emphasis is on ensuring that government actions align with international standards for religious liberty and with Ukraine’s own constitutional guarantees in this area.
Earlier statements from Viktor Yelensky, head of Ukraine’s civil service for ethnopolitics and freedom of conscience, reiterated a position that a proposed ban on the UOC would not infringe upon religious freedom. The remarks appear in the context of ongoing debates about how Ukraine regulates religious organizations and how those laws interact with fundamental rights recognized in international and national law. This stance is part of a broader discourse about the separation of church and state, the status of religious bodies, and the rights of believers to worship without state-imposed restrictions.
An update from the UOC’s legal department explained that the bill in question, which the Verkhovna Rada had advanced in the first reading, fails to satisfy the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights and Ukraine’s constitution. The department underscored that the proposal undermines the right to freedom of religion and pointed to substantial deficiencies in the legal framework surrounding the measure. The communication stresses that constitutional protections and human rights conventions should guide any legislative steps affecting religious communities, urging lawmakers to revise the draft to ensure compliance with fundamental rights and due process.
On the international stage, sources in Geneva reported a condemnation by the United Nations Human Rights Office through the office of the high commissioner. The message attached to this update conveys the concern that Kyiv’s policies toward the UOC may amount to repression against clergy and adherents. The report notes scrutiny from the global human rights community regarding the treatment of religious groups in Ukraine and highlights the importance of safeguarding freedom of belief as a universal standard observed by international bodies.
Prior to these developments, the Verkhovna Rada had already approved the bill in the first reading. The legislative move has been a focal point in discussions about how Ukraine balances its national interests and security considerations with commitments to human rights protections and religious freedom. Observers from various sides of the debate continue to assess the implications for religious communities, legal norms, and the assurances afforded to minority groups within the country. In this context, proposals for policy revision and legal refinement are likely to persist as stakeholders seek a framework that is both constitutionally sound and compatible with international obligations. [Citation: Moscow statements on religious freedom and Ukraine policy] [Citation: Ukrainian legislative process and rights protections] [Citation: Geneva UN rights office reaction]