Yelensky discusses plans to “advocate” for Ukraine’s religious liberty abroad

Meeting of representatives of the State Service for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience and the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. Photo: dess.gov.ua

The head of the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom of Conscience, Viktor Yelensky, held a meeting with representatives of the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO). This was reported on the agency’s website.

On this topic Ukraine may restrict access to churches for UOC believers, Human Rights Watch

Participants spoke about problems in the humanitarian sphere – providing assistance to those in need and chaplaincy. They also discussed proposed changes to Ukraine’s regulatory and legal acts concerning clergy who work with Ukrainians abroad.

“UCCRO representatives informed the DESS leadership about plans to spread truthful information on the state of freedom of conscience in Ukraine and on the human rights situation in the occupied territories. They also reported on advocacy events planned for 2026,” the statement says.

During the meeting, they also spoke about the “importance of active participation” by UCCRO in marking the “National Day of Prayer” on February 24, 2026.

As the UOJ previously reported, Yelensky, together with rabbis and Zoria, spoke in the United States about religious freedom in Ukraine.

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