Media: Rada received signals from Washington not to vote for the ban on UOC

Blocking of the Parliament rostrum on July 23 due to the failure to bring bill 8371 to a vote. Source: Facebook

According to Radio Svoboda, citing its own sources, on the eve of the consideration of bill No. 8371, on July 23, "urgent signals" were sent from the Ukrainian embassy in Washington – not to vote for the controversial law banning the UOC. Media reports indicate that MPs were informed that this would damage Ukraine's position in the U.S.

"Sources from Radio Svoboda in several parliamentary factions confirmed that on the eve of the consideration of the bill on July 23, 'urgent signals' were sent from the Ukrainian embassy in Washington – not to vote for the law, as it would harm Ukraine's positions and reputation overseas," the report states.

The publication recalls that in April, Ohio Senator James Vance, who became the Republican candidate for vice president, explicitly spoke about the "persecution" of Orthodox Christians in Ukraine, referring to the UOC.

"It is clear that there are concerns in Ukrainian political circles about whether this might affect American assistance – including military aid – in the event of a victory in the U.S. November elections by the Trump-Vance tandem," the publication reports.

As the UOJ wrote, a delegation of parliamentarians is traveling to the U.S. to "resolve the issue" with bill 8371.

Read also

UOC Kryvyi Rih Eparchy marks 30th anniversary

Metropolitan Yefrem led the anniversary Divine Liturgy in Kryvyi Rih.

Ostapenko: Everyone in UCCRO feels fine except the “FSB UOC”

The director of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve called the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches “a wonderful organization.”

Khmelnytskyi Eparchy donates funds for treatment of 12-year-old girl

UOC believers raised UAH 20,000 for Anastasiia Mamchur as part of an eparchial charity campaign.

Shevchuk: We had to convince world UOC ban does not violate religious freedom

The UGCC head claims that by banning the UOC, the state is not violating religious freedom but merely protecting the Church’s faithful from Moscow propaganda.

Lavra reserve head estimates damage to Dormition Cathedral at €15 million

Maksym Ostapenko said restoring the Dormition Cathedral would take at least a couple of years and require major funding.

DESS official says state should not govern the Church

A DESS official called for cooperation between the state and the Church for the benefit of citizens.