Klitschko: I baptized my children in the Lavra, so am I now “pro-Russian”?

Vitali Klitschko and Alexander Usik. Photo: sport.nv.ua

The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, in an interview with Channel 5, said that he could not agree with those who accuse the parishioner of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, world boxing champion Alexander Usik, of being unpatriotic.

“I also baptized my children in the Lavra. Can I be described as 'Russian-conscious' for this reason? A lot of things have occured in Ukraine, but our values shouldn't be affected. Ukraine is an independent state. We are building a ‘Russia-free’ country. If a person speaks Russian – they shouldn’t be stigmatized. It’s wrong to label people as wrong," Klitschko said.

In his opinion, Alexander Usik adheres to a pro-Ukrainian position.

“I know he is pro-Ukrainian. I know that he always raises the Ukrainian flag, always represents Ukraine despite the fact that Crimea is now occupied, and any person who has a Ukrainian passport in Crimea is discriminated. He always emphasizes: ‘I am a Crimean, Crimea is Ukraine, I love Ukraine, I am Ukrainian.’ Maybe someone doesn't like the views,” Klitschko summed up.

Earlier, the UOJ wrote how the OCU called Usik's victory a tragedy of the Ukrainian people.

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