Checking for Affiliation with the Russian Federation. The Cabinet approved a key document for churches.

Procedure for Conducting Research on Religious Organizations

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved resolution No. 543 on May 9, 2025, which approved the Procedure for conducting research on the affiliation of religious organizations with foreign religious organizations banned in Ukraine. This was reported by the State Service of Ukraine for Ethnopolitics and Freedom in response to a request from 'Glavkom' regarding the implementation of Law No. 3894 'On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Activities of Religious Organizations.'

As noted by the DSS, the procedure determines the mechanism for checking religious organizations for their connections with the aggressor country.

In addition, the DSS provided clarifications regarding the use of non-cult structures and other real estate leased by religious organizations that will be recognized as affiliated with banned foreign religious organizations in Ukraine.

The Service emphasized that, according to the legislation, state and/or communal property cannot be used or transferred to a religious organization whose activities are banned in Ukraine. The rights of use for such property, granted to affiliated organizations, and contracts concluded with them will be terminated prematurely 60 days from the date of decision to recognize the respective religious organization as affiliated.

The DSS also stated that after the decision on affiliation is made, the service will send relevant notifications to the State Property Fund of Ukraine, local self-government bodies, and other persons who provided property for use by such organizations, for the early termination of rights of use and lease agreements.

As is known, the long-awaited law 'on banning the Moscow church' was signed by the president on Independence Day. After that, the government was to approve the draft resolution 'On Approving the Procedure for Conducting Research on the Affiliation of Religious Organizations with Banned Foreign Religious Organizations in Ukraine', which would essentially provide the mechanics for the action of law No. 3894 'On the Protection of the Constitutional Order in the Activities of Religious Organizations.'

Analysis

The adoption of the Procedure for conducting research on the affiliation of religious organizations is an important step towards banning the activities of foreign religious groups that have an aggressive influence on Ukrainian society. This procedure will help identify and terminate cooperation with such organizations that threaten the security and stability of the country.