In Brussels, UCCRO members speak about anti-UOC actions of authorities
UCCRO members justified the state's actions against the UOC, calling them “protection of freedom of religion”.
On June 22, 2026, in Brussels, a delegation of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations told Europeans about the work of the Ukrainian authorities against the UOC.
During the visit, representatives of the OCU and other religious denominations presented their European counterparts with a detailed account of their position regarding the “measures taken by the Ukrainian state to protect freedom of religion in Ukraine from the external influence of the aggressor state.” In practice, however, this wording serves to justify government policies aimed at restricting the activities of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Religious figures, among whom were Epifaniy Dumenko and Yevstratiy Zoria, claimed that the state uses legislative mechanisms exclusively to counter the “religious factor as a weapon in hybrid war.” They also emphasized support for the “necessary reforms” being carried out in Ukraine during the war.
Ukraine’s Representative to the EU, Vsevolod Chentsov, also took part in the discussion and informed those gathered about the state of the negotiation process. For their part, the Ukrainian religious figures boasted of 30 years of interfaith cooperation, presenting the vice-president of the CEC with a commemorative medal for the anniversary of their organization.
As the UOJ reported, Yelensky discussed with UCCRO plans to “advocate” for Ukraine’s freedom of religion abroad.
