The state has withdrawn the right of the UOC-MP to use the lower level block of buildings of the Kyiv Cave Monastery free of charge and in perpetuity. What loopholes or back doors the UOC-MP might find in this matter remains to be seen," Father George Kovalenko, a clergyman of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and rector of the Open Orthodox University of St. Sophia the Wisdom, told TSN.ua.
The clergyman stated, "I have not heard in the statements of the Ukrainian authorities that the authorities want money. Yes, indeed, the use was free, and this is another strange story. I think that the state has a political motivation to implement the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on the spiritual security of Ukraine, the desire to release hostages within the Ukrainian Orthodox Church itself from the Moscow Patriarchate and the people and structures associated with them."
This is reported by TSN.
On the other hand, according to Father Kovalenko, this is also a request in a certain way.
I see that the state is still open to dialogue and proposals. Ukrainian society, media, and other religious organizations, including the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, will also monitor developments. But this is an issue between Ukraine and the Moscow Patriarchate. Sometimes the Moscow Patriarchate tries to present this situation as if they have a problem with the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. They have a problem with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. It is a problem of an inadequate position and inadequate actions during the war," explained the clergyman of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.