Klitschko: I baptized my children in the Lavra, so am I now “pro-Russian”?
Vitali Klitschko and Alexander Usik. Photo: sport.nv.ua
The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, in an interview with Channel 5, said that he could not agree with those who accuse the parishioner of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, world boxing champion Alexander Usik, of being unpatriotic.
“I also baptized my children in the Lavra. Can I be described as 'Russian-conscious' for this reason? A lot of things have occured in Ukraine, but our values shouldn't be affected. Ukraine is an independent state. We are building a ‘Russia-free’ country. If a person speaks Russian – they shouldn’t be stigmatized. It’s wrong to label people as wrong," Klitschko said.
In his opinion, Alexander Usik adheres to a pro-Ukrainian position.
“I know he is pro-Ukrainian. I know that he always raises the Ukrainian flag, always represents Ukraine despite the fact that Crimea is now occupied, and any person who has a Ukrainian passport in Crimea is discriminated. He always emphasizes: ‘I am a Crimean, Crimea is Ukraine, I love Ukraine, I am Ukrainian.’ Maybe someone doesn't like the views,” Klitschko summed up.
Earlier, the UOJ wrote how the OCU called Usik's victory a tragedy of the Ukrainian people.
Read also
Shevchuk tells Budanov of UGCC’s “state-building role”
The head of the Uniates told the head of the Presidential Office that his Church was ready to partner with the state and presented him with a book on the work of special services in the Church.
Authorities decline to disclose Ukraine’s population size
The State Statistics Service acknowledged that it has up-to-date population estimates for the country, but has decided not to make them public.
Lithuanian govt vows to protect Orthodox Church from Russian intelligence
Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has called for curbing the influence of Russian intelligence services on the Church, while an adviser to President Nausėda warned against labeling the entire structure a security threat.
During Ramadan, Patriarch Theodoros hosts Islamic iftar at his residence
Patriarch Theodoros of Alexandria hosted a meal for Muslim workers breaking their fast in the courtyard of the Patriarchate and thanked a sheikh for his “brotherhood.”
Lawsuit filed against Patriarch of Constantinople
A Turkish official has accused Patriarch Bartholomew and dozens of clergy of “illegal activity” and violating the Treaty of Lausanne.
OCU cleric buried with Church Slavonic funeral shroud
In the Ternopil Eparchy of the OCU, a cleric was buried under a funeral shroud bearing inscriptions in Church Slavonic.