“The Church is a source of power that Zelensky cannot allow” – Robert Amsterdam

International lawyer of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Robert Amsterdam, commented on the situation surrounding the OCU and explained how this structure differs from the UOC:
“Its services are held in Ukrainian. It is controlled by the presidency. It is not separate from the state — it is the state.” He said this during a broadcast of the Nexus program.

Robert Amsterdam emphasized that President Zelensky treats any influential structure he does not control with paranoid fear:
“A Church that is separate from the state has influence. The Pope has power. Church leaders have power. But in Ukraine, this is not allowed. Right now, it is the dictatorship of Mr. Zelensky. Their attack is an assault on another independent source of power — one that Mr. Zelensky cannot tolerate.”

The lawyer also recalled the nationalist cult that, according to him, is being cultivated in the OCU.

Earlier, we reported that international lawyer for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Robert Amsterdam expressed his opinion on the creation of the OCU and the political influence on religious life in Ukraine. In response to a question from journalist Matthew Moore about the new religious structure, Amsterdam said that the process is part of a political game.