ISTANBUL 

The Ukrainian parliament on Thursday passed in an initial vote a draft law on banning religious organizations tied to Russia, which could ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate.

The law was adopted by the parliament, also known as the Verkhovna Rada, in the first reading with 267 votes in favor, Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said on Telegram. It has to be backed in a second reading and approved by the president to go into force.

“The activity of religious organizations in Ukraine, whose center of management is located outside of Ukraine in a state that carries out armed aggression against Ukraine, is made impossible,” said Taras Melnychuk, the Ukrainian government's representative to the parliament.

The Ukrainian Orthodox Church split from Moscow in May 2022, but Kyiv authorities accuse it be linked to Russia.​​​​​​​