Ukraine MPs vote to ban Russia-linked Orthodox Church

KYIV, Ukraine: Ukraine´s parliament voted on Tuesday to ban the Russian-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a move Kyiv says strengthens its independence as the country cuts ties with institutions it considers aligned with Moscow.

Kyiv has been trying to curb spiritual links with Russia for years -- a process accelerated by Moscow´s 2022 invasion, which the powerful Russian Orthodox Church endorsed.

A majority of Ukrainian lawmakers approved the bill outlawing religious organisations linked with Russia, which will mostly affect the Moscow-linked Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

Zelensky said the ban would boost his country´s “spiritual independence” and MPs hailed the bill as historic.

Russia condemned the move that its church called “illegal.”

The Russian church has been furious over a 2019 schism that resulted in the creation of an independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church, spiritually loyal to Moscow´s Istanbul-based rival Patriarch Bartholomew.

Zelensky, who still needs to sign the bill for it to come into force, said he will be talking to Bartholomew´s representatives in the coming days.

It may take years to implement the ban, causing some dismay among followers of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.