Zelensky in the USA held a meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew

on September 23, 2025, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople in New York. During the conversation, the politicians discussed «the development of the church in Ukraine». About this Zelensky wrote in his account in X.

«I discussed with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew ways to achieve true peace and further development of the Church in Ukraine. I informed him about the protection of religious freedom in Ukraine, shared details of our cooperation with the American team and invited His Holiness to visit Ukraine. I thank the Ecumenical Patriarch for his support, solidarity, defending the interests of Ukraine, constant prayers for all Ukrainians and condemnation of the actions of the Russian Orthodox Church, which blessed the killings of Ukrainians,» wrote Zelensky.

We will remind, recently Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew said that he does not intend to cancel the Tomos on autocephaly of the OCU. In his opinion, the process of autocephaly of the «Ukrainian church» is irreversible, the UOC and the OCU should unite, and this will be followed by the recognition of other local churches. The head of the Phanar believes that this will happen «in the coming years or decades».