MOSCOW, December 13. /TASS/. The United States encourages schismatic steps by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko against the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters at a press briefing on Thursday.

"He is imposing an autocephaly, which is alien to millions of believers, encouraging Poroshenko’s and the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s schismatic steps," she said.

"We realize what is behind Mr. Brownback’s actions and that part of the American diplomacy, which deals with these issues. This is an attempt to divide the peoples of Russia and Ukraine spiritually. Apparently, from their point of view, it would be best to play them off against each other on religious grounds as well. Those who resist will be either interrogated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) and get prison terms or will be sanctioned by the US," Zakharova added.

US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo earlier said he had placed several countries, including Russia, on a "Special Watch List for governments that have engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom." Commenting on the move, Brownback said the US administration could impose sanctions on Russia in the future under the pretext of ensuring religious freedom around the world.