Kremlin says new Ukrainian church being used for political ends

Ukraine marks its historic split from Russia vital to the country’s security and independence

MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Monday accused Ukraine’s politicians of using the creation of a new Ukrainian Orthodox church independent of Moscow for political ends.

Ukraine chose the head of a new national Orthodox church on Saturday, marking a historic split from Russia which its leaders see as vital to the country’s security and independence.



“In Ukraine, these processes, this schism-creating activity is completely mixed up with politics, which of course is probably not allowed in church canon,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call.