Zelensky meets with Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul
Zelensky and Patriarch Bartholomew. Photo: ec-patr.org
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the residence of Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul's Phanar district on October 31, 2026. This was reported by the press service of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. It was Zelensky's fifth visit to the Phanar since taking office.
According to the Patriarchate, the Ukrainian president received a warm welcome and held an hour-long meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew in his office.
The head of the Ecumenical Patriarchate reaffirmed his support for the Ukrainian people suffering from the war. He also stated that “the Mother Church prays for peace and justice in Ukraine and for the peaceful resolution of all conflicts,” expressing support for any initiatives aimed at achieving those goals.
Zelensky thanked the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Patriarch Bartholomew personally for their continued support and congratulated him on the 35th anniversary of his enthronement.
The Patriarchate was also represented at the meeting by Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and Metropolitan Gregory of Ancyra. Zelensky was accompanied by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
Afterward, in the Throne Room, Patriarch Bartholomew blessed the other members of the Ukrainian delegation and escorted Zelensky to the gates of the Patriarchate.
As the UOJ previously reported, Zelensky did not travel to New York to receive an award from the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Read also
Shevchuk: We reject peace if Ukraine does not regain territories
The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church believes peace is impossible if Ukraine is forced to surrender territory.
Zhytomyr Eparchy responds to alleged transfer of two parishes to OCU
The UOC eparchy clarified the circumstances of the "transfers" in Romanivka and Synhaivka, stressing the distinction between a vote by village residents and a decision by a religious community.
OCU posts video disproving its claims to Cherkasy cathedral
OCU representatives released archival footage showing that Dumenko's organization had no role in building the seized UOC cathedral in Cherkasy.
UOJ journalists freed after letters to Vance, Young Republican leader says
Catherine Whiteford says she personally delivered letters from imprisoned journalists who had reported on church seizures to JD Vance, and they were released three months later.
National Guard corps names military operation after pagan deity
A National Guard unit carried out an operation near the Oskil River and named it after the pagan god Veles.
Young Republican Federation leader: Drafting UOC clergy is “death by cop”
Catherine Whiteford says UOC priests are sent to the front lines despite authorities knowing they are clergy, only for their deaths to be blamed on Russian forces.