Mayor of Odesa Hennadiy Trukhanov Again Voices Support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church
Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov has once again expressed his support for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), stating that actions against believers and church structures are unacceptable. According to him, the church is an integral part of Ukrainian society, and attempts to ban it are a provocation.
“I believe that there is some kind of provocation against the church I attend. There is no need for this. Because I am a parishioner of this church – the UOC,” Trukhanov said, emphasizing his commitment to canonical Orthodoxy.
The mayor also responded to a recent interview by American journalist Tucker Carlson with Canadian lawyer Robert (Bob) Amsterdam, who represents the interests of the UOC. In the interview, Amsterdam claimed that the U.S. State Department under the Joe Biden administration, as well as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which was shut down by Donald Trump, interfered in Ukraine’s religious affairs. According to him, American authorities funded a project aimed at eliminating “traditional Orthodoxy” and supporting the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).
Hennadiy Trukhanov fully supported Amsterdam’s statement, stressing that foreign interference in Ukraine’s religious life is indeed taking place. “Robert Amsterdam’s words fully reflect reality. We see pressure on the UOC, the funding of alternative structures, and attempts to destroy our traditional church. This is unacceptable,” the Odesa mayor stated.
The UOC’s lawyer also accused the Ukrainian government of legitimizing religious repression, comparing the situation to actions taken by totalitarian regimes of the past. He claimed that Ukraine has turned into a “police state,” where the judicial system is destroyed, politics is controlled by security services, and opposition is suppressed.
Hennadiy Trukhanov, in turn, noted that such statements require careful analysis, as they concern not only faith but also the fundamental rights of citizens. “The church is an integral part of the country. If we ban faith, we deprive people of their identity and freedom,” the Odesa mayor emphasized.
In recent years, the situation surrounding the UOC has remained tense. Ukrainian authorities are considering banning its activities, citing possible ties with Russia. However, within the country, especially in regions with strong Orthodox traditions, such measures provoke mixed reactions. Hennadiy Trukhanov has repeatedly spoken in support of believers, emphasizing that religious matters should not become a tool of political pressure.
