Religious expert Viktor Tregubov said in an interview with Ukrinform that “it is necessary to distinguish between the Moscow Patriarchate in Ukraine and its representatives.”

“Repressive measures must be taken against radicals who cooperate with the Russian Federation, and the churches of the Moscow Patriarchate in the regions in the West and in the center of Ukraine are not hotbeds of Rusmir and their closure will be only a symbolic gesture,” he said.

At the same time, Tregubov said that the Pochaev and Kiev-Pechersk Lavra “should be kept under the control of the SSU. And there are people there who must answer for the collaboration before the law.”

“It will be difficult, but it will be necessary to work in Pochaev. This is really an outpost of Russia. Regarding the displacement of the MP from Ukraine, one should speak separately for each case. When it comes to some last church of the Moscow Patriarchate somewhere in the “deep” Western Ukraine, its closing is a purely symbolic gesture, an attempt by individual mayors to promote themselves, because this church is by no means a hotbed of Russian peace. If an ordinary community can be set up cautiously, with conviction, public pressure, then the SSU should work in Pochaev. The SBU should work in the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra” – said Tregubov.

In general, the expert hopes for a “neutral position” of the OCU in this process, because this will contribute to the “transition” of communities from the Moscow Patriarchate. He also hopes that Patriarch Bartholomew will intervene in the situation.

“Central Ukraine and Eastern Ukraine – there really are “church” cases that the Security Service of Ukraine needs to take on. And there are those who need to be arrested. Not just talking: let’s talk with them, but the bishops and priests really involved must answer before the law. And there is no need to make exceptions from the laws of Ukraine because they are priests. And I would also like the OCU to take a neutral position and facilitate the transition, and not fall into the position in which the Moscow Patriarchate previously stood in regarding the Kyiv Patriarchate – “let these come to us through repentance, otherwise…” I really hope that here, perhaps, Patriarch Bartholomew will play a role,” added Tregubov.