OP chief: Classifying UOC as part of Moscow Patriarchate is manipulation
Kyrylo Budanov. Photo: ukrinform
The chief of the President's Office Kyrylo Budanov during a briefing at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities on April 9, 2026 spoke out against a forceful solution to the church issue.
Responding to a journalist's question regarding the small number of "transitions" from the UOC, Kyrylo Budanov interrupted her, noting that adding the suffix "MP" to "Ukrainian Orthodox Church" is manipulation.
The OP chief emphasized that the name UOC is a fact. "The suffix 'MP' was removed from the UOC," he said.
Budanov highlighted that in Ukraine the Church is separated from the state and spoke out against interference in the religious sphere.
"One cannot rush here. Doing something by force in the spiritual aspect has never, in any state, brought results," he added.
As the UOJ reported, the Presidential Office chief hopes for a major Easter prisoner swap.
Read also
Patriarch Theophilos III Consecrates Ward for Terminally Ill Children in Bethany
Patriarch Theophilos visited a humanitarian foundation established by Orthodox philanthropists back in 1946.
Two tons of aid delivered to Sviatohirsk Lavra by UOC volunteers
UOC volunteers brought food supplies, solar panels, and equipment for the monastery’s autonomous power supply system to Sviatohirsk Lavra.
Parliament passes law on National Pantheon
The Verkhovna Rada has approved the creation of a memorial complex allowing the burial of UPA commanders and political figures.
US Supreme Court upholds ban on transgender participation in women's sports
The US Supreme Court has confirmed the right of states to protect women's sports from participation by biological males.
UOC launches campaign to help refugee children prepare for school year
The UOC Social Department has announced a collection of school supplies for children from displaced families as part of the “Backpack of Mercy” campaign.
OCU takes over chairmanship of UCCRO
Participants in the final meeting of AUCCRO summed up the results of its work over the past six months.