Zelensky meets Patriarch Bartholomew in U.S. to discuss Church in Ukraine

Zelensky and Patriarch Bartholomew in the U.S. Photo: Orthodox Observer

On September 22, 2025, during his visit to the United States, Volodymyr Zelensky met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. The President of Ukraine reported this on X.

At the meeting, the Patriarch welcomed Zelensky with the words, “Glory to Ukraine!”

The two sides discussed the “ways to achieve genuine peace and the further development of the Church in Ukraine.”

“I informed him about the protection of religious freedom in Ukraine,” Zelensky assured, adding that he invited the Patriarch to visit Ukraine. He also thanked him “for his support, solidarity, advocacy for Ukraine’s interests, his constant prayers for all Ukrainians, and his condemnation of the actions of the Russian Orthodox Church, which has blessed the killing of Ukrainians.”

The meeting was attended by Archbishop Elpidophoros, Head of the Presidential Office A. Yermak, Foreign Minister A. Sybiha, NSDC Secretary Umerov, and others.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Zelensky had called Carlson’s accusations of persecution against the UOC “manipulations.”

Read also