Ceasefire agreement in war between Russia and Ukraine may include protection of rights of Ukrainian Orthodox Church, - Matthew Whitaker

US Permanent Representative to NATO Matthew Whitaker said that a ceasefire agreement in the war between Russia and Ukraine could include protection of the rights of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Whitaker noted that US President Donald Trump is making considerable efforts to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and now is the best time to do so. He made this statement on Fox News.

“President Trump continues to call on both sides to negotiate and is trying to work out an agreement and reach a peace treaty because we must stop the killings. Whatever that agreement may be—whether it’s protecting Russian churches in Ukraine or Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine—I think there is a basis for that now,” — Whitaker said.

Recall that the “spiritual advisor” to US President Donald Trump, Pastor Mark Burns, said that Russia is using the Ukrainian Orthodox Church as “a tool to justify war and bless missile strikes, manipulating millions of people.” According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded protection for the UOC during peace talks in Alaska, while at the same time, according to the pastor, persecuting and closing “Ukrainian churches” in territories not controlled by Ukraine.