Zelensky Emphasizes the Importance of Religious Communities for National Unity During Meeting with the AUCCRO

On April 22, 2025, an important meeting took place at the Metropolitan House of the National Reserve «Saint Sophia of Kyiv» between President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and members of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (AUCCRO). The event was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Olena Kovalska, and Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience Viktor Yelensky. The information was published on the website of the State Service.

The main topic of the meeting was the role of religious institutions in supporting the spiritual health of the nation and preserving unity during wartime. President Zelensky expressed condolences over the death of Pope Francis and thanked the clergy for their ongoing prayers and support for Ukrainian soldiers.

The President highlighted the importance of developing military chaplaincy and supporting Ukrainians abroad through unity hubs, which help displaced citizens maintain ties with their homeland. He emphasized the critical role of religious communities in ensuring national unity, noting that spiritual diplomacy not only upholds moral values but also helps to address the demographic challenges of the war.

It is worth noting that Viktor Yelensky, Head of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, announced the upcoming implementation of the controversial Law No. 3894, aimed at banning the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. According to Yelensky, the enforcement of this law will begin in May, and he claims that it specifically targets the Russian Orthodox Church.