President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
The Head of State expressed gratitude for His All-Holiness' prayers for Ukraine and Ukrainians and commended the public position of the Patriarch and the Orthodox Church of Constantinople in support of our state.
The parties positively assessed the ongoing cooperation at various levels, including the recent visit of the Ukrainian delegation to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and exchanged expectations for a reciprocal visit.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the law on spiritual independence of Ukraine adopted by the Verkhovna Rada, which was supported by the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations.
“An independent country and an independent nation must also be spiritually independent. Today, Moscow is losing another lever of influence on Ukraine and Ukrainians,” the President said.
He reaffirmed the state's commitment to further strengthening Orthodoxy in Ukraine and promoting open dialogue between churches.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his invitation to the Ecumenical Patriarch to visit Ukraine.