Religious freedom in Ukraine is a key issue that affects American support for Ukraine at the executive and legislative levels. As part of Nova Ukraine’s advocacy efforts, we co-sponsored and co-organized (together with Razom for Ukraine) a short visit of a delegation from the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO) to Washington, D.C. and Houston, Texas in October and November 2023. During the visit, Ukrainian religious leaders met with American politicians, church officials, political researchers, and members of think tanks to answer their questions about Ukraine, and inform them about the current situation. Dr. Igor L. Markov, a Nova Ukraine director, facilitated meetings in Washington, D.C., whereas, Natalya Meyer facilitated meetings in Houston, Texas and helped organize events in both cities.
During their visit, the delegation held meetings at the White House, the Senate, and several government agencies, as well as prominent think tanks and churches. Ukrainian religious leaders gave a number of media interviews and participated in public events.
The delegation outlined the impact of Russia’s invasion on religious communities across Ukraine. They also shared information and perspectives on the state of religious freedom in Ukraine and highlighted Russia’s disinformation efforts.
Highlights included:
- Interfaith panel with the Atlantic Council at the US Institute for Peace, moderated by Marie Yovanovitch, former Ambassador to Ukraine, followed by a closed-door roundtable at USIP
- Meeting at the State Department with Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain
- Panel discussion at the Hudson Institute moderated by Nina Shea
- Meetings with USAID, Ambassador of Ukraine Oksana Markarova, Senator Chuck Grassley, the Heritage Foundation, leaders of the ADAMS Center, the National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry, and more
- Meeting with Commissioner Eric Ueland and Executive Director Erin Singshinsuk at the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom
- White House meeting with Kelly Razzouk, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Democracy
- Conversation with the American Jewish Committee, hosted by the Consulate General of Ukraine in Houston
- Special Ukraine Gratitude Dinner in Houston hosted by Ecclesia Houston Christian Community, featuring Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee
- Conversation with students at Awty International School (Houston’s premier international school)
- Visit to Houston Space Center
- Special event at St. Thomas University
- Conversation with Interfaith Ministries of Houston facilitated by Jason Fuller
The visit highlighted the unity and diversity of Ukrainian religious communities in the face of russia’s full-scale invasion, and gave the leaders a chance to spread their message to a wider audience through interviews with the press.
Press coverage highlights include:
- On a US tour, Ukrainian faith leaders plead for continued support against the Russian invasion – by Peter Smith, Associated Press
- Catholic Church in Ukraine facing extermination, bishops say – by Peter Pinedo, Catholic News Service
- Russia is attacking religious freedom in Ukraine. Does Mike Johnson care? – by Karen Tumulty, The Washington Post
- Ukrainian Church Leaders Sound Alarm on Russia’s Use of Religious ‘Jihadist’ Language to Prop Up War Effort – by David Zimmerman, National Review
- Ukrainian faith leaders say if Russia prevails, religious freedoms would be curtailed – Kate Scanlon, Catholic Standard
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