Ukraine Takes Stand Against Russian-Linked Church, Upholding Freedom of Religion

Ukraine's parliament has passed the first reading of a bill that would ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate (UOC MP), which is backed by the Kremlin. The draft law had support from 267 deputies, with the majority from President Zelensky's party. The UOC-MP is seen as a fifth column for Russia's aggression against Ukraine. If the law is passed in its second reading and signed by Zelensky, the UOC-MP would have to stop using the property of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra National Reserve within three days.