Historic Vote: Ukraine Bans Russia-linked Orthodox Church Branch

Ukraine's parliament has passed a law banning a Russia-linked branch of the Orthodox Church, accusing it of siding with Moscow in the ongoing war. The law aims to sever ties with institutions complicity in Russia's invasion, with President Zelenskiy and other lawmakers emphasizing national security and spiritual independence.

Ukraine's parliament has passed a law to ban a Russia-linked branch of the Orthodox Church, a step seen as severing ties with an institution accused of siding with Moscow in the ongoing conflict. The bill, approved by 265 lawmakers, prohibits the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church within Ukrainian territory.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy lauded the vote as a move towards strengthening Ukraine's 'spiritual independence,' while lawmaker Iryna Herashchenko emphasized its implications for national security. The Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) has faced accusations of abetting Russia's war through propaganda and espionage.

Lawmakers acknowledged the complexity of implementing the ban, given that each Orthodox parish is considered an individual entity. The transition process will span nine months, after which legal action may be taken against non-compliant parishes. The UOC maintains it has no ties to foreign centers, challenging the bill's legitimacy.

(With inputs from agencies.)