Zelensky awards Trump's "spiritual advisor" with an order

Burns and Zelensky. Photo: "We – Ukraine"

On August 24, 2025, during the celebrations in Sophia Square on the occasion of Independence Day, Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the Order of Merit III Class to American pastor Mark Burns, whom the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine Asman calls the "spiritual advisor" to Trump.

During the award ceremony, Burns said: "Glory to Ukraine!", to which Zelensky replied: "Glory to the heroes!", and emphasized that these are "the main words you (Burns – Ed.) have to know."

Recall, Burns, after meeting with Yermak, assured that the words about the persecution of the Church in Ukraine are "fakes". He also stated that the authorities of Ukraine invited him to the country to "disprove religious fakes".

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