Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone conversation with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

"I thanked His Holiness for his prayers for Ukraine and for the unwavering support of our people. We jointly positively assessed the development of our cooperation, in particular the recent productive visit of the Ukrainian delegation to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and expressed mutual expectations regarding a return visit by the Patriarchate," Zelenskyy said in his Telegram channel on Wednesday evening.

The president said that he also separately emphasized the importance of the new law on spiritual independence, which was supported by the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations.

"An independent country, an independent people must also be independent spiritually. Today, Moscow is losing another lever of influence on Ukraine and Ukrainians," Zelenskyy said.

He also assured Bartholomew that Ukraine seeks to strengthen Orthodoxy and promote open dialogue between churches.

According to the press service, Zelenskyy renewed the invitation to the Ecumenical Patriarch to visit Ukraine.