The U.S. State Department is preparing sanctions against the initiators of the ban on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

The United States Department of State is preparing the possible introduction of personal sanctions against Ukrainian MPs and officials who initiated the process of banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church by adopting the scandalous draft law No 8371. The list includes six Ukrainian top officials, who more than others are trying to ban the UOC. This was told, citing his own sources, political scientist and head of the Center for the development of local self-government and local initiatives “Third sector” Andrey Zolotaryov.

“Interesting news arrived from across the ocean. Donald Trump announced the name of his vice presidential candidate on July 15 — it was 39-year-old J.D. Vance, a senator from Ohio. Vance is said to be a bigger Trumpist than Trump himself. This choice shows that Trump is confident in his victory and it seems that he has found in the person of Vance not only a vice president, but also a potential successor. So here’s what America’s future vice president is saying. And he says a lot, and even more about freedom of religion in Ukraine, or rather about the problems with this freedom”, — writes Zolotaryov.

The political scientist added that, according to his sources, as of today the head of the U.S. State Department, Anthony Blinken, has on his desk a document analyzing the scandalous bill No. 8371 aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. It lists, among other things, Ukrainian MPs and officials against whom it is proposed to impose sanctions if the law is finally voted in the Verkhovna Rada.

“That personal sanctions similar to the Magnitsky list can catch up with the initiators of the bill 8371 is evidenced by a letter to the head of the State Department Anthony Blinken. A fascinating letter with names and analysis of the situation in Ukraine with the UOC and the law on its ban. And sanctions are a reality for those who vote for this bill. Especially if Trump wins the election. And after the assassination attempt on him, it seems to be almost a done deal. Trump not Biden will impose sanctions without thinking twice,” — Zolotaryov emphasized.

Thus, according to the published document, under the threat of personal sanctions in the United States were:

— Mykola Knyazhytsky, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Culture and Spirituality;

— Yevgeniya Kravchuk, deputy chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy;

— Nikita Poturaev, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy;

— Volodymyr Vyatrovych, member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy;

— Viktor Yelensky, Chairman of the State Service of Ukraine on Ethno-politics and Freedom of Conscience (SSEC);

— Oleksandr Aliksiychuk, member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Organization of State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning.

We shall remind you that earlier Andriy Zolotaryov commented on the possible consequences that await Ukraine in case of adoption of the bill #8371, aimed at banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Zolotaryov believes that if the law is passed, the state will face serious difficulties due to the non-acceptance of its provisions by its Western partners.