Political expert: U.S. response to UOC crackdown is only a matter of time
The actions of Yelensky, placing the UOC outside the law are a violation of the Constitution, believes the expert.
Political scientist Andriy Zolotarev stated that Ukraine may face sanctions from the USA due to religious persecutions of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. He mentioned this in a comment to the media.
"And then it may turn out that the initiatives of Mr. Yelensky and his company, those who lobbied for the law that puts the UOC outside the law, are also a violation of the Constitution," emphasized Zolotarev.
He reminded that since the moment of gaining independence, Ukraine has adopted a model of a secular state, similar to the French one, which implies non-interference of the state in the affairs of the Church.
"We see an attempt to create a state church, malicious tongues call it "empty churches of Ukraine'. This is also a violation of the Constitution," added the political scientist.
According to the expert, such actions may lead to sanctions from the USA.
"Ukraine may be included in the list of religiously unfree countries. There are such states as North Korea, Iran, Russia – including for the persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses. And being on this list excludes any military and financial assistance from the United States. Moreover, personal sanctions may be imposed on those who were involved in such matters," noted Zolotarev.
He also pointed out that information about religious persecutions in Ukraine has already reached Western political circles, including through UOC lawyer Robert Amsterdam.
«It is clear that we have hate against the same Robert Amsterdam, the lawyer of the UOC. But if he is received by the same Tucker Carlson, be sure – this information reaches a narrow circle in Trump's entourage. And it is only a matter of time before it strikes back," stated the expert.
Zolotarev noted that the actions of the Ukrainian authorities towards the UOC will be used at the table of future negotiations. "The Russian side will definitely raise the issue of the UOC persecution," resumed the political scientist.
As reported by the UOJ, the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) will begin an inspection of the Kyiv Metropolis of the UOC for ties with the Russian Federation on May 20.
