American Pastor Burns Says He Does Not Believe in Persecution of UOC Believers in Ukraine

Prominent American pastor and advisor to Donald Trump, Mark Burns, publicly stated that he does not believe the narrative promoted by conservative U.S. media about the alleged persecution of believers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Ukraine. He shared this view after a personal visit to Ukraine, where he met with “religious leaders.” His comments were given to the Ukrainian news agency Ukrinform.

Burns noted that «it used to be easy to believe that, especially against the backdrop of the propaganda that was spread in the United States about Ukraine. That Ukrainians are “racists,” “neo-Nazis,” they “don’t have religious freedom,” they “don’t love Jesus,” they “don’t honor God,” and they “don’t allow people to have their own freedom.” This is still being said by powerful right-wing media groups in America today.» However, he said, a visit to the war zone in Ukraine changed his views significantly.

“It sounded convincing, especially given the propaganda being spread in the U.S.… But what I saw in Ukraine and my conversations with believers showed me the opposite,” the pastor stated.

He emphasized that he did not witness systemic persecution of UOC believers and considers such claims to be informational manipulation aimed at discrediting Ukraine and undermining its international support.

Earlier, it was reported that international human rights lawyer Robert Amsterdam, who represents the interests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, made a public statement regarding events near the Holy Spirit Cathedral in Chernivtsi. “Christians are being beaten, tortured, held hostage. You will see violence against believers whose only guilt is their faith in Christ. Christians are being hunted,” the lawyer said in his address.