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
In Nigeria, 130 hostages abducted from Catholic school released
The country's authorities reported the release of the last hostages – victims of the attack on the Catholic school.
Zelensky wishes death to Putin in his Christmas message
The presidential address included the phrase "May he parish", said in the context of a Christmas wish.
Hungarian authorities to fund restoration of Serbian Church monastery
The Government of Hungary has allocated funds for the reconstruction of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos Monastery of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Zelensky: All Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on the same date
Volodymyr Zelensky recorded a new video with Christmas greetings.
Instead of Christmas: Zelensky declares January 7 Programmer’s Day
Zelensky decided that January 7 is the most appropriate date for introducing a new holiday.
OCU equates UOC’s losses from “transfers” with losses caused by occupation
In Dumenko’s circle, the losses suffered by the UOC due to so-called “voluntary transfers” to the OCU were equated with losses resulting from occupation and the re-subordination of communities to the Russian Orthodox Church.