Ukraine forbids Russian linked churches

A church is seen in the village of Shebekino outside Belgorod, a few kilometres from Ukrainian border, on January 27, 2022. - The border with Ukraine, the scene of a major geopolitical crisis, is just a stone's throw away, but the Russians see no war on the horizon. In fact, far from the tense diplomatic exchanges between Moscow and Washington, which blame each other for the tensions around Ukraine, this border region seems to be asleep. (Photo by Alexander NEMENOV / AFP) (Photo by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images) — A church is seen in the village of Shebekino outside Belgorod, a few kilometres from Ukrainian border, on January 27, 2022. (Photo by ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 3:35 PM PT – Friday, December 2, 2022

The president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has outlawed the operation of Russian-influenced religious organizations following reports claiming that the Ukrainian Orthodox Church shares Russian sentiment.

On Thursday, Zelensky made an announcement where he stated that the Ukrainian Government will examine the country’s Orthodox Church regarding its canonical connection with the Moscow Orthodox patriarch.

Additionally, Zelensky assured Ukrainian citizens that their right to freedom of expression will not be impacted.

“First, the National Security and Defense Council instructed the government to submit to the Verkhovna Rada, a draft law on making it impossible for religious organizations affiliated with centers of influence in the Russian Federation to operate in Ukraine,” Zelensky said.

This comes as Ukraine celebrates the 31^st anniversary of the referendum that united all current territories under the Ukrainian flag.

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