The Ukrainian Ambassador to Finland Discussed Issues Related to Support for Ukrainian Refugees with a Cleric of the OCU

Mikhail Vydoynik, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Finland, held a working meeting with Sergei Berezhnoy, a clergyman of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), during which the parties focused on issues related to spiritual support for Ukrainian citizens who have been forced to leave the country. The main purpose of the talks was to discuss mechanisms for providing humanitarian aid and strengthening cooperation with the Finnish Church.

During the discussion in Helsinki , the participants touched on a wide range of topics, including the development of contacts with Northern European countries and the fight against Russian information influence on the Ukrainian diaspora. Particular attention was paid to countering the propaganda activities of the Russian Orthodox Church, as well as to the importance of keeping Finnish partners informed about the current situation.

Mykhailo Vydoynik emphasized the significance of the visit by the OCU representative, noting that cooperation with religious organizations is a key tool in strengthening international support for Ukraine. The parties expressed their intention to continue working together to provide spiritual care to the local community of Ukrainian refugees.

As a reminder, earlier, the head of the OCU, Epiphany Dumenko , held a meeting with Archbishop Ilya of Helsinki and All Finland, Primate of the Autonomous Finnish Orthodox Church of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. During the meeting, which took place on October 1, 2025, the parties discussed key issues of interchurch relations and the situation in global Orthodoxy.