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An Orthodox church in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo: Mariusz Kluzniak)

Orthodox church split just tip of Putin's crumbling 'soft power' in Ukraine

The historic decision in Constantinople (Istanbul) at the synod of the Orthodox Church to grant Ukraine autocephaly (independence) from the Russian Orthodox church has geopolitical ramifications for Europe.

Russia's control over religious life was the last vestige of soft power Russian president Vladimir Putin exercised over Ukraine.

Putin's annexation of the Crimea and military aggression against eastern Ukraine, where his occu...

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Disclaimer

The views expressed in this opinion piece are the author’s, not those of EUobserver

Author Bio

Taras Kuzio is a professor at the National University Kiev Mohyla Academy and the co-author of The Sources of Russia's Great Power Politics: Ukraine and the Challenge to the European Order.

An Orthodox church in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo: Mariusz Kluzniak)

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Author Bio

Taras Kuzio is a professor at the National University Kiev Mohyla Academy and the co-author of The Sources of Russia's Great Power Politics: Ukraine and the Challenge to the European Order.

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