Zelenskiy Vows to End Moscow’s Grip on Ukraine’s Orthodox Church

KYIV, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has set his sights on severing the last ties between Ukraine’s Orthodox Church and Moscow. In a decisive step towards what he calls “Ukrainian spiritual independence,” Zelenskiy hinted at measures that could effectively ban the branch of the Orthodox Church still linked to Russia.

Orthodoxy in Ukraine is a faith divided. While many Ukrainians now belong to an independent church recognized by the global Orthodox community since 2019, a minority still adheres to a branch historically connected to the Russian Orthodox Church. Despite shrinking in size since Russia’s 2022 invasion, this faction continues to wield influence.

In his nightly address, Zelenskiy was clear: “We must deprive Moscow of the last opportunities to restrict the freedom of Ukrainians. And the decisions for this must be 100% effective.”

Zelenskiy’s government has long accused the Moscow-linked church of aiding the Russian invasion and manipulating public sentiment. Last year, the Ukrainian parliament took the first steps toward banning religious organizations with ties to hostile states. Yet, the effort stalled, and the legislation remains in limbo.

Despite the minority church’s claim that it severed ties with Moscow after the invasion, Ukrainian authorities are not convinced. Criminal charges, including treason, have been filed against several of its clerics, with at least one traded to Russia in a prisoner exchange.

Concerns linger among some Ukrainian lawmakers about the potential backlash from conservative Republicans in the United States, Ukraine’s key ally. They worry the move could be seen as an infringement on religious freedom. Nonetheless, Zelenskiy appears resolute in his mission to protect Ukraine’s political and spiritual sovereignty from Russian influence.