Ukraine to ban Russian Orthodox Church, Zelenskyy signs law
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law banning the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) and its affiliated organizations in Ukraine, according to the parliament website.
Zelenskyy received the law for signature on August 23, 2024, on the eve of Ukraine's Independence Day.
After the law comes into force, Ukrainian churches suspected of collaborating with the Russian Orthodox Church will have 9 months to break ties.
Background
On Tuesday, August 20, the Verkhovna Rada supported a bill that proposed to ban the Russian Orthodox Church and its affiliated organizations in Ukraine.
According to Mykyta Poturayev, chairman of the Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy, this law is needed to effectively resist Russian propaganda, as the Kremlin spreads it through the church.
The head of the UOC Information and Education Department, Metropolitan Klyment, told RBC-Ukraine that the law did not comply with the Constitution and the document allegedly opened up prospects for discrimination against believers.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also discussed this law with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
