Ukraine rejects claims by US lawmaker of Christian persecution

Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States, Olga Stefanishyna, issued a response to remarks by Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, who has accused Ukraine of persecuting Christians, as well as to a letter on the matter sent by Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Dubinsky.

As reported by Caliber.Az, writing on X, Stefanishyna underscored that Ukraine is a democratic country with more than 30,000 registered religious organisations.

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…

— Olga Stefanishyna (@StefanishynaO) January 9, 2026

She noted that allegations of persecution are being circulated only by churches that maintain ties with Russia. Between 2022 and 2025, a total of 1,378 religious communities changed their canonical and organisational affiliation — a process fully protected under Ukrainian law. She further emphasised that the Russian Church constitutes a national security threat due to its public support for the war.

"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," she wrote.

Congresswoman Luna had previously announced her intention to appeal to the State Department and the Vatican, pointing to letters from members of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church alleging the “persecution of Ukrainian Orthodox Christians.”

In addition to the State Department, I will be reaching out to the Vatican tomorrow morning in response to the information that I’ve received in the last 24 hours from Ukrainian Orthodox members, as well as members of their own government, regarding the persecution of Ukrainian…

— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) January 9, 2026

"American tax dollars should not be going to a government that is responsible for persecuting and obstructing Christians trying to worship God. The Vatican has a responsibility to ensure that they are educating the international community on what is happening across the world, specifically with regard to Christian persecution," she wrote at the time.

Luna has also been associated with contacts involving Russian officials, as well as efforts promoting the idea that the United States should withdraw from NATO.

By Tamilla Hasanova