Ukrainian Parliament Votes to Ban Russian-Linked Orthodox Church

Ukrainian Parliament Votes to Ban Russian-Linked Orthodox Church

Ukrainian lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bill to ban the Russian-linked Orthodox Church, securing a decisive majority in the country’s parliament, the Rada.

Of the 322 lawmakers present, 265 voted in favor of the controversial measure during its second reading. The move aims to limit the influence of the Moscow Patriarchate, which continues to oversee approximately 10,000 parishes within Ukraine’s religiously diverse landscape.

The bill’s proponents argue that the Church’s support for Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine justifies the ban, accusing it of aiding and abetting crimes against the Ukrainian people.

The legislation, which cites the protection of national security and religious freedom, now awaits President Volodymyr Zelensky’s signature to become law. Once enacted, it will take effect 30 days after publication, granting individual parishes nine months to sever their ties with Moscow.

In response, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the move, describing it as an assault on religious rights.