On the 21st of August, in keeping with the tradition of holding discussions to deepen dialogue with the clergy, initiated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, during this year's meeting of heads of Ukrainian diplomatic missions abroad, the Special Representative of Ukraine for the Middle East and Africa, Maksym Subkh, met with the Supreme Mufti of Ukraine, Head of the Religious Administration of Ukrainian Muslims and member of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations (UCCRO), Sheikh Ahmed Tamim.

During the meeting, the parties discussed issues related to supporting Ukrainian Muslims abroad, ensuring religious freedoms for Ukrainian citizens amid Russia's military aggression against our country, and the role of clergy in countering Russian disinformation both in Ukraine and abroad.

In this context, Maksym Subkh stressed the importance of the UCCRO and representatives of the clergy in advancing religious diplomacy, particularly in advocating for Ukraine abroad and providing accurate information to the international community, including representatives of the clergy of the Arab-Muslim world, about the scale of crimes committed by the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine against religious leaders and communities of different faiths.

Sheikh Tamim informed the Special Representative about the media outreach and educational work of the Religious Administration of Ukrainian Muslims including its publication of religious literature in Ukrainian, in addition to its global activity in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The parties agreed to maintain regular dialogue in order to coordinate efforts within the framework of developing a new format for relations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations.