U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday, May 6, held a meeting with Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), Metropolitan Epifaniy.
The two discussed progress in the OCU development, the church's press service reported.
Read alsoMoscow Patriarchate plotting to hinder Bartholomew's visit to UkraineMetropolitan Epifaniy and Secretary Blinken took part in a ceremony honoring the fallen Ukrainian heroes, laying flowers at the Wall of Remembrance before the U.S. top diplomat visited St. Michael's Cathedral in Kyiv center.
Particular attention was paid to the issue of the OCU development, the importance of removing artificial obstacles to the free determination of affiliation by parishes, based on the principles of freedom of conscience," the report says.
Metropolitan Epifaniy expressed gratitude to the American side for the firm support of Ukraine in the context of countering external challenges the Ukrainian state continues to confront, as well as in the issues of protecting freedom of conscience in the Russian-occupied territories, namely Crimea and parts of Donbas.
Metropolitan Epifaniy emphasized the importance of the U.S. outstanding efforts in consolidating international support for Ukraine, increasing sanctions pressure and containing Russia until full restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity.
