On June 11, 2024, the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) met with the Ambassadors of the Group of Seven (G7) countries in Kyiv.

The heads and authorized representatives of the denominations apprised the G7 Ambassadors of the crimes perpetrated by the Russian Federation in Ukraine's religious sphere. This includes religious persecution in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, destruction and damage to church buildings, and more. The conversation also covered issues of legislative protection of religious freedom from hostile foreign interference and the use of trust in religion as a tool in hybrid aggression against Ukraine.

During the meeting, the heads and authorized representatives of the denominations briefed the Ambassadors on the role of Ukrainian churches and religious organizations in countering Russian aggression and the activities of religious communities in spiritual, humanitarian, and social realms. The conversation also focused on the challenges faced by churches during the war. In particular, the parties discussed the status of the clergy and the activities of religious communities in the context of chaplaincy and mobilization activities.

It was noted that despite the martial law, fundamental human rights and freedoms are generally ensured in Ukraine, and democratic institutions and courts continue to function. However, certain problematic issues need to be addressed through dialogue and coordinated solutions between religious denominations and the authorities. 

The meeting of the UCCRO with the G7 Ambassadors was attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Italy Pier Francesco Zazzo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan Matsuda Kuninori, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of France Gael Veyer and Chargés d'Affaires of the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Canada, and the European Union. The UCCRO was represented by the Chairman of the UCCRO, President of the UBS Hryhorii Komendant, Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine of the OCU, Head of the UGCC Sviatoslav Shevchuk, and Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytskyi of the RCC, Senior Bishop Anatoliy Kozachok of the Ukrainian Christian Evangelical Church, the Grand Mufti of Ukraine Ahmed Tamim, Bishop Stanislav Nosov of the Seventh-day Adventist Churches of Ukraine, Senior Bishop Leonid Padun of the Ukrainian Christian Evangelical Church, Bishop Marcos Hovhannisyan of the UD AAC and other representatives of churches and religious organizations.

Photo by Andriy Sydor