ABSTRACT
Although Ukrainian law guarantees a high level of religious freedom there has been more government interference since the 2014 Russian aggression. While national security was not a decisive motive for amending religious legislation before, this changed on 24 February 2022, when Russia decided on the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Responding to the invasion, the Ukrainian parliament has adopted a law requiring parishes of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) to change their names. Another law simultaneously simplified the canonical severance with the Russian Orthodox Church. This state regulation was accompanied by explanations from government officials about the necessity of protecting national security, particularly concerning religious affairs. Ukrainian society is now debating a few draft laws to permanently sever ties with any Russian religious centers. While not underestimating the importance of religious independence for Ukraine as a sovereign state, it is appropriate to analyze whether such measures by the Ukrainian authorities are in line with international obligations for freedom of religion or belief and whether this state interference may, in fact, have the opposite effect leading to a reduction of religious freedom.
