On Tuesday, Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed a bill that bans religious organizations with ties to Russia, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to sever links with its neighbor amid ongoing conflict. The bill received 265 votes in favor during its second reading and is set to become law 30 days after being signed.
One notable provision in the bill allows communities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate nine months to officially break their ties with the Russian Orthodox Church. This church had split from Moscow in May 2022 after Russian Patriarch Kirill endorsed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, though it continues to be perceived as “pro-Russian” by Kyiv and the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak announced the bill’s passage on Telegram, while fellow lawmaker Oleksii Honcharenko hailed it as a “historic decision.” Honcharenko also noted that the bill will impose restrictions on religious organizations concerning their relations with the Russian Orthodox Church and will clarify the nature of such connections.
The bill, titled “On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Field of Activities of Religious Organizations,” was initially adopted in its first reading by the Verkhovna Rada last October. This legislation represents a further step in Ukraine’s efforts to distance itself from Russia and strengthen its national sovereignty.–News Desk