Ukrainian Court Ruling and Presidential Office Remarks Challenge Government's Campaign Against Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Event summary
- Ukraine’s Sixth Administrative Court of Appeal annulled the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) conclusions alleging the UOC's subordination to the Moscow Patriarchate.
- Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Staff to President Volodymyr Zelensky, acknowledged that the UOC had removed references to the Moscow Patriarchate and stated the state should not interfere in the Church’s internal affairs.
- Andriy Yermak, former Chief of Staff, oversaw policies targeting the UOC, including detentions, raids, and sanctions, while promoting a rival Orthodox faction.
- The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) expressed grave concern over allegations of torture and intimidation of UOC-associated parliamentarian Artem Dmytruk.
The big picture
The Ukrainian government’s campaign against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) faces significant legal and political challenges, as recent court rulings and presidential office remarks undermine the justification for targeting the Church. This shift comes amid growing international concern over human rights abuses, including torture and intimidation of UOC-associated figures. The developments highlight the tension between state interference in religious affairs and the broader geopolitical dynamics at play in Ukraine.
What we're watching
- Governance Dynamics
- Whether the Ukrainian government will fully cease its campaign against the UOC following the court ruling and presidential office remarks.
- Regulatory Headwinds
- The pace at which international institutions will escalate scrutiny of Ukraine’s treatment of religious minorities and political opponents.
- Political Fallout
- How the indictment of Andriy Yermak on corruption charges will impact the broader narrative around the UOC and government accountability.