Volodymyr Zelenskyy: “Reopening synagogues and combating antisemitism—that is our response to Russia’s accusations”

During a recent interview with American blogger Laura Lumer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined his country’s position on Russia’s accusations of alleged Nazism. The head of state emphasized that the construction of synagogues, the creation of memorials to Holocaust victims, and a robust legal framework constitute a direct and well-reasoned response to such rhetoric. He made these remarks in an interview with American blogger Laura Lumer.

In the interview, Volodymyr Zelenskyy categorically denied the presence of Nazis in Ukraine, citing the peaceful coexistence of hundreds of national minorities and the vibrant life of Jewish communities as evidence. The president placed special emphasis on the adoption of a law against antisemitism—unique in Europe—which, in his words, is one of the strictest in the world.

“Anti-Semitism is outlawed here. We did this during my presidency—we passed this law by a vote,” — Zelenskyy stated, adding that the combination of legislative measures and the focus on preserving historical memory serve to refute the claims of the Russian authorities. It is worth noting that during the interview, Laura Lumer emphasized the absence of similar legislative provisions in the United States, which, according to the Ukrainian side, confirms the seriousness of Kyiv’s approach to protecting the rights of religious and ethnic groups.

As a reminder, we previously reported that Rivka, the daughter of Russia’s Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar, married Sholom, the son of Avraham Wolf, the Chief Rabbi of Odessa and Southern Ukraine. The family celebrated the wedding on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in Israel.