Parliament takes an important step toward banning religious organizations with ties to Russia

The Verkhovna Rada has taken an important step toward banning the activities of religious organizations with ties to the Russian Federation. Today, draft law No. 8371 on this initiative was adopted in the first reading, with 267 MPs supporting it. This initiative may have important consequences for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

This step has sparked a wide discussion and different reactions among the public. Journalist Sonya Koshkina expressed joy over the decision, stating that "The history of the Russian Orthodox Church in Ukraine is over."

Plans to ban the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine became known in December last year, when the Humanitarian Policy Committee recommended that the Verkhovna Rada consider Bill 8221, which provides for such a ban.

It was noted that such a step is in line with international human rights law, in particular freedom of conscience, and provides an opportunity to separate the Ukrainian Orthodox Church from the Russian Patriarchate, similar to the experience of Latvia.

The Security Service of Ukraine conducted searches in UOC (MP) churches and found that some clergy supported Russian aggression and contributed to the spread of Russian propaganda among parishioners. This situation was one of the reasons for the adoption of a bill banning religious organizations associated with the Russian Federation.