Amsterdam: Kyiv authorities allocate $3.5M to U.S. lobbyists to destroy UOC

Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra. Photo: savetheuoc.com
"I'm just furious that at such a critical moment, when Ukraine's frontline youth needs help more than ever, Kyiv is spending nearly $4 million on a PR campaign in Washington to cover up its abuses against the Church," wrote American lawyer of the UOC Robert Amsterdam in his X (formerly Twitter) on April 16, 2024.
The international human rights advocate published a press release on the scheme used by Ukrainian state agents to disguise the persecution of the UOC in their country.
According to Robert Amsterdam, Ukraine's decision to spend $3.5 million of U.S. taxpayer funds on PR is shameful.
"Reckless and irresponsible" spending on Washington lobbyists is an insult to all Ukrainians, especially those fighting on the frontlines, the lawyer added.
As the UOJ wrote, recently Ukrainian structures have hired a number of firms and individuals associated with the Republican Party for lobbying activities in the US. The fact that Ukrainian organizations are hiring these structures is also indicated by information from the U.S. Department of Justice and reports in the American media. This was reported by "Strana.ua" with reference to its sources in the political circles of Ukraine.
Read also

OSCE expert: Pressure on Romanian parishes may strengthen UOC in EU courts
The oppression of Romanian-speaking Orthodox communities reveals the true motives of the Ukrainian authorities regarding religious freedoms.

“OCU Lavra abbot” claims UOC monks “betrayed” relics of Venerable Fathers
Avrahamiy Lotysh accused the monks of the monastery – who have been denied access to the Kyiv Caves Lavra catacombs for several months – of having “forgotten their duties.”
ROC DECR Chairman informs Pope of persecution against UOC
During the conversation, numerous topics were discussed, including the state of Orthodox-Catholic dialogue and ongoing global conflicts.
Faithful in Chernivtsi Oblast hold procession for the Baptism of Rus’ Day
Orthodox believers from Bukovyna are walking in prayer toward the patronal feast of the Vladimir Monastery in Kolinkivtsi.
Human rights advocates: TRC threatens those wishing to join Romanian Church
Three communities in Chernivtsi Oblast were threatened with mobilization of their men if they did not withdraw applications to change jurisdiction.
Human rights advocates: DESS sabotaging establishment of RomOC in Ukraine
Yelenskyi claims that the existence of Romanian Church structures in Ukraine requires the consent of the OCU.