Russian MFA reports active pressure on Churches in order to recognize OCU

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Photo: RIA Novosti
Sergei Lavrov, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, said that active pressure is being exerted on a number of Local Orthodox Churches to force them to recognize the OCU and called on "to leave the Church alone". He said this on September 10, 2021 at a forum in Sochi, answering journalists' questions, according to the official website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
The minister stressed that the United States is behind the formation of the OCU, which has set out to undermine the position of World Orthodoxy and "does not bother to hide it". According to him, there is information about attempts to create the same autocephalous non-canonical structure in Belarus, he also referred to the situation in Montenegro, where “President Djukanovic <...> tried to create problems for his government and at the same time show his American and other Western colleagues his determination to fight Orthodoxy."
The head of Phanar "is directly dependent on the United States," added Sergei Lavrov, and now some Churches are "hammered hard" into recognizing the head of the OCU Epiphany.
“The Greek Churches made this compromise with their conscience. Both the Greek Orthodox Church and the Cypriot Orthodox Church are now actively working upon the Antioch Orthodox Church (there are parishes of this Church in Syria, Lebanon and a number of African countries). There were also attempts to persuade the Patriarch of Alexandria, the Patriarch of Jerusalem and the leaders of the Churches of Bulgaria, Romania, and Albania to follow the same path.
The efforts are very vigorous, and the clergy are being exposed to very tough pressure. Therefore, we know what we are talking about. We call publicly to leave the Church alone,” stressed the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Earlier, Sergei Lavrov said that Washington directly manipulates the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Read also

In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom
Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."
Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot
The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.
Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution
International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.
Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children
“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.
His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv
At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.
Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects
According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.