The Council for Interfaith Relations discussed the protection of religious freedom and interfaith dialogue with the U.S. Ambassador

On June 5, 2026, an official meeting was held in Kyiv between members of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (ACCRO) and U.S. Chargé d’Affaires in Ukraine, Ambassador Julie Davis. The key topic of discussion was the protection of the right to freedom of religion as a pressing priority for the country’s development. This was reported bythe Institute for Religious Freedom.

During the event, held at the Bible House in Kyiv, representatives of various denominations emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue for preserving the resilience and unity of the Ukrainian people in the face of external aggression. Leading religious figures participated in the talks, including OCU Speaker Evstratiy Zoria, Senior Pentecostal Bishop Anatoliy Kozachok, Deputy Head of the Union of Baptists Ihor Bandura, and Mufti of Ukraine Ahmed Tamim. Delegates from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the Ukrainian Bible Society, and the Institute for Religious Freedom also presented their positions.

Ambassador Julie Davis familiarized herself with the current situation in the religious sphere and outlined plans for further cooperation with Ukrainian communities. The parties also discussed the results of joint activities aimed at supporting civil society.

As a reminder,the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch has expressed serious concern regarding potential restrictions on the rights of believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) to access places of worship in Ukraine. The warning is contained in the organization’s 2025 report on the human rights situation in Ukraine, which notes the possible consequences of the implementation of new anti-church legislation.