DESS head Victor Yelensky lobbied for "church laws" on the air of the international CBN television channel

The head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, Viktor Yelenskyy, has held a meeting with representatives of the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), one of the largest international Christian media networks. During the talks, among other things, they discussed the observance of the rights of believers in Ukraine. The head of the State Service of Ukraine said that relations between the state and religious organizations are strictly regulated by Ukrainian legislation.

According to the official website of the State Service of Ukraine on Ethno-politics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS), Viktor Yelensky and representatives of CBN, which broadcasts in many languages and has a wide audience around the world, focused on the significant role of Ukrainian churches and religious organizations during the war. Their active position in providing humanitarian aid, supporting civilians, internally displaced persons, military personnel and their families, as well as in extensive volunteer activities throughout the country was emphasized.

Separately, the issue of the religious situation in the Orthodox environment of Ukraine was touched upon. The interlocutors discussed the peculiarities of the modern church structure and the approaches of the state to ensuring freedom of conscience, as well as compliance with legislation in the sphere of state-confessional relations. This dialog is an important part of efforts to ensure religious stability and respect for rights.

We shall remind you that on November 18, 2025, the head of the State Service of Ukraine on Ethno-politics and Freedom of Conscience (DESS) Viktor Yelensky met with the Prefect of the Dicastery for Eastern Catholic Churches, Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti, in the Vatican. During the dialog, the parties discussed the religious situation in Ukraine and the implementation of Law No. 3894 aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.