Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports Ukraine "fights for religious freedom"

A meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials with UCCRO representatives and experts on religious freedom. Photo: Facebook

On March 26, Deputy Foreign Minister Maryana Betsa met with representatives of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) to engage religious organizations in promoting Ukraine's interests on the international arena. As reported by Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its Facebook page, the discussion involved OCU "hierarch" Eustratiy Zoria, UGCC representative Oleksa Petriv, Catholic Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytskyi, and other Council members.

Meeting participants focused on coordinating the work of diplomats and believers within the UN, OSCE, and Council of Europe. Betsa is convinced that close "state-faith partnership" is necessary to strengthen Ukraine's "global advocacy" and hold the Russian Federation accountable for crimes in occupied territories.

"Ukraine today is fighting not only for its territorial integrity but also for fundamental values, including freedom of conscience and religion," the official stated. The parties agreed to jointly inform foreign partners about persecution of the clergy, child abductions, and destruction of religious buildings.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an iftar as part of Ramadan.

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