Day: January 9, 2026

Good statement by Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, who might have also mentioned that the person  @RepLuna is deferring to on these matters, Oleksandr Dubinskyi, was sanctioned by the first Trump administration for being “part of a Russia-linked foreign influence network,” which sought to interfere in U.S. politics. Dubinsky has also been indicted for treason in Ukraine for working on behalf of a criminal organization sponsored by the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence service. Listening to a Russian intelligence asset on questions about the Russian Orthodox Church is perhaps more on-the-nose than Rep. Luna realizes.  home.treasury.gov/news/press…
politico.eu/article/oleksand…Olga Stefanishyna (@StefanishynaO)In relation to the recent statements by Congresswoman  @RepLuna, the Embassy is always ready to provide fact-based information. Some facts:

☑️With deeds, not words, Ukraine fosters a diverse religious landscape. We have over 30,000 registered religious organizations, many of which cannot operate in Russia. Only the one with ties to Moscow speaks about persecutions.
☑️From 2022 to 2025, 1,378 religious communities decided to change their canonical and organizational subordination. It’s their right. Some communities are divided; those tensions are exploited by Russian propaganda. Ukraine is a democracy; all disputes will be resolved through the courts.
☑️The activities of the Russian Church pose a direct national security threat. It is the Church that publicly supports war. Ukrainian law does not restrict religious beliefs, worship, or doctrine; it prohibits the ties with this organization.

Regarding the letter from the person who is under trial: those claims do not withstand even basic fact-checking. In the entire Ukrainian penitentiary system, there are around 34,600 inmates. There are no political prisoners. As a state in war, Ukraine works to hinder the activities of persons acting in the enemy’s interests. But everyone has the ability to defend themselves in court.—  https://x.com/StefanishynaO/status/2009709204081139954

— michaeldweiss (@michaeldweiss) Jan 10, 2026