Political Analyst Konstantin Bondarenko
The question of autocephaly in Ukraine is an international issue, says political analyst Konstantin Bondarenko.
On Patriarch Bartholomew is political pressure within the Church question in Ukraine. This was stated by the political scientist, the Director of Fund “Ukrainian policy” Konstantin Bondarenko in an interview with newspaper “Strenia”.
“On the one hand Fanar puts pressure on the US state Department – said Bondarenko. – Bartholomew has a big problem with the American parishes of the Constantinople Archdiocese, more and more seeks to become independent from Fanara. The state Department is blackmailing Bartholomew this issue. Accordingly, those who in Ukraine claim that the autocephaly will believe in the omnipotence of the States.”
According to the analyst, the question of autocephaly may affect Turkey’s President Erdogan.
“Therefore, Poroshenko and tries to enlist the support of Erdogan, sending from Ukraine of the Turkish opposition – he is trying to show their loyalty to the Turkish. But Erdogan has his own motives not to force the issue. This and the unwillingness to aggravate relations with Russia, and the confrontation between Turkey and Greece, and many other problems. That is the question of autocephaly goes far beyond the Church and becomes an international issue”, – concluded the expert.
Earlier the journalist Vyacheslav Pikhovshek said that the US puts pressure on the Patriarch of Constantinople to establish a Local Church and actively influence the process through its diplomats.
In mid-April, Poroshenko appealed to the Constantinople Patriarch Bartholomew to grant the Tomos of autocephaly of the Church in Ukraine and announced the creation of a Single Local Church. The Verkhovna Rada supported the President.