In the first reading, the Verkhovna Rada supported the draft law on banning religious organizations associated with Russia. This was reported by MP Yaroslav Zheleznyak.

It is a draft law No. 8371 "On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on the Activities of Religious Organizations" initiated by the Cabinet of Ministers. 

Thus, Ukraine may ban the activities of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

It should be noted that 267 People's Deputies voted for this decision.


It should be noted that this bill was previously criticized by the World Council of Churches. They stated that the adoption of this law "threatens to undermine social unity in Ukraine" and "if adopted in its current form, this law may be used in ways that violate international norms of freedom of faith or belief."