Ukraine’s leading interfaith body, the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations (UCCRO), has strongly opposed any moves to grant the Russian language or the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) special status in Ukraine.

The statement was released by the council - which includes Protestant, Orthodox, Catholic, Jewish and Muslim leaders, after media reported that President Vladimir Putin had requested such concessions during his 15th August meeting in Alaska with US President Donald Trump. The same visit also saw Putin meet Archbishop Alexei of the Orthodox Church in America, a move that has drawn widespread criticism from Christian leaders, particularly those with links to Ukraine.

UCCRO said that no organisation connected to an aggressor nation should receive legal protection in Ukraine, even in wartime.

Reaffirming its commitment to religious freedom, the council stated:

“We support the Ukrainian state in defending its legitimate interests on the international stage. Ukraine must not be pressured into unequal commitments, such as giving special status to the Russian language, culture, the Russian Orthodox Church, or its role in international organisations.”

The council also highlighted Russia’s use of religion as a tool of aggression, pointing out that the ROC has supported the war and sought to undermine Ukrainian sovereignty.

UCCRO reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s legislative path toward spiritual independence, specifically the 2024 law regulating religious organisations with ties to Russia, emphasising that all measures follow legal procedures and independent court review.

The council’s stance reasserts Ukraine’s right to self-determination in matters of faith, language and cultural identity, grounded in Christian principles of justice, national integrity and religious freedom.