Nova Ukraine Helped Host Leaders of 95% of Ukraine’s Faithful

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