US congressman calls for an end to persecution of Christians and UOC in Ukraine

On December 16, 2025, US Congressman Eli Crane from Arizona made a call to stop persecution of Christians and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) in Ukraine. According to the congressman, the country is displaying disturbing authoritarian tendencies that stand in stark contrast to the founding principles of Western civilization and are of particular concern.

According to the SPJ website in the United States, Crane said that since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, alarming authoritarian tendencies have been observed. Among such manifestations, he cited the cancelation of elections, tight control over media resources and misuse of financial resources. These actions, he said, «are in sharp contrast to the fundamental principles of Western civilization.»

The congressman also noted that «the situation on the ground is very different from the picture painted by the mainstream media.» Of particular concern to him is the «mistreatment of Christians,» which, in his opinion, occurs along with other problems.

Eli Crane expressed hope that the end of the war would not only save countless lives, but also bring relief «after years of suffering and restrictions on freedom of religion and freedom of speech.» He concluded his address by saying, «Let us continue to trust in God, stand firm in our convictions and spread the Gospel throughout the world.»

We shall remind you that the United Nations (UN) has expressed serious concern over the Ukrainian legislation that could lead to the banning of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). In its human rights report, the UN stressed that historical or canonical ties with a foreign religious center cannot in themselves serve as grounds for persecuting or banning a religious organization, calling for the observance of the principles of individualization and proportionality.