On March 26, 2026, representatives of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Mariana Betsa, and discussed current issues related to ensuring freedom of conscience and religion in Ukraine, with particular attention to the situation in the territories temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation in the context of the ongoing armed aggression against Ukraine.
The participants of the meeting emphasized that it is precisely in these territories that systematic human rights violations are being recorded, including pressure on religious communities, persecution of clergy, and restrictions on freedom of religion imposed by the aggressor state.
“Today, Ukraine is fighting not only for its territorial integrity and national identity, but also for the fundamental values of the democratic world, including freedom of conscience, religion, and human dignity. Therefore, strengthening state–confessional partnership and further close cooperation with international partners are key to enhancing Ukraine’s global advocacy and holding the aggressor state accountable for all crimes committed,” Mariana Betsa stressed.
Special attention was also given to further coordination of efforts between UCCRO and Ukraine’s diplomatic service on the international track, with the aim of increasing partner support, particularly within international organizations and forums such as the United Nations, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, as well as the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance.
The parties also agreed to continue cooperation in informing international partners about Russia’s systematic human rights violations, including the persecution of clergy and believers, the abduction of Ukrainian children, and the destruction of religious buildings.
During the meeting, UCCRO representatives also spoke about the delegation’s advocacy visit to London (United Kingdom) on March 11–13, 2026, as well as about planned international events.
The meeting was attended by Metropolitan Yevstratiy of Bila Tserkva of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine; Mitred Archpriest Oleksa Petriv, Head of the Department for External Relations of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church; Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi, Ordinary of the Kyiv-Zhytomyr Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine; Anatoliy Raichynets, Deputy General Secretary of the Ukrainian Bible Society; Senior Bishop Anatoliy Kozachok of the Ukrainian Pentecostal Church; and Oleksandr Zaiets, Chairman of the Board of the Institute for Religious Freedom.