Yelensky: We won’t allow religious freedom to be abused in RF’s interests

Viktor Yelensky, the head of the DESS. Photo: nfront.org.ua

Viktor Yelensky, head of the State Ethnopolitics Service (DESS), said that Ukraine has always respected the freedom of religious choice of citizens but will not allow this freedom to be abused in the interests of the Russian Federation. He said this at a meeting with a delegation of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance, reports the DESS press service.

"Ukraine has always respected the freedom of religious choice of citizens and will always protect the right to freedom of religion. This is very important for us," he said.

The DESS head also spoke about the facts of "harassment of religious minorities and communities as a result of Russian aggression": "During 15 months of the war Russians have destroyed almost 500 churches, more than 100 of them were destroyed completely".

In his turn, Vice Chair Ambassador of the Alliance, Robert Rehak, assured Yelensky that the organization will provide humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian religious communities and "assist in the organization of negotiation processes at the diplomatic level".

As reported, Yelensky told Lutherans in Denmark about the consolidation of churches in Ukraine.

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