President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, discussed violations of freedom of religion in the occupied territories of Ukraine, the presidential press service reports.

Zelensky thanked Bartholomew for his visit to Ukraine on the 30th anniversary of independence, the patriarch thanked Zelensky for the invitation and said he was happy to be on the hospitable Ukrainian land.

The interlocutors discussed a peaceful settlement in Donbass, the situation with violation of human rights and freedoms, including freedom of religion, in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Zelensky noted that Russia uses the religious factor as a hybrid weapon.

During a conversation with Patriarch Zelensky, he noted that Ukraine is a unique example of the peaceful coexistence of many confessions..

Zelensky thanked Bartholomew for personal support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and its independence, for constant prayers for peace in Ukraine.

On October 16, 2020, President Volodymyr Zelensky invited Bartholomew to visit Ukraine.

The UOC of the Moscow Patriarchate opposed this invitation. They said that this could allegedly lead to a "

In December, Bartholomew announced that he would visit Ukraine on the occasion of its Independence Day.. Most Ukrainians are positive about the visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch.

On July 28, 2021, Bartholomew addressed the Ukrainians on the anniversary of the baptism of Rus - Ukraine. Yesterday, August 20, Bartholomew arrived on a visit to Ukraine. LIGABiznesInform informs about it..