[ad_1]
By Tom Balmforth and Natalia Zinets
MOSCOW / KIEV (Reuters) – Russia has pledged on Friday to defend believers of the Russian church in Ukraine from any illegal activity against them, following the Kiev movement towards a historic split in Russia. Russian Orthodox Church.
Ukraine wants to establish a national church, freed from its traditional ties with Russia, which it considers to be a vital step in combating Russia's interference in its affairs. Moscow opposes this initiative, arguing that it would provoke a schism in orthodox Christianity.
The comments of the Kremlin could stir up tensions between Kiev and Moscow, whose relations collapsed after the annexation of Crimea by Russia in 2014 and the outbreak of a separatist insurgency backed by Moscow in the 1930s. East of Ukraine.
Critics of the Ukrainian independent church project believe that this could lead to violence and forced takeover of churches loyal to the Russian Orthodox Church.
President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov outlined the Kremlin's position.
"In the event that the developing events unfold in the course of illegal activities, then of course, just as Russia defends the interests of Russians and Russian-speakers – and Putin has spoken about it on several occasions – Russia will defend interests of the Orthodox, "he told reporters. "It's an absolutely grounded and perfectly understandable position."
Peskov said the defense would consist exclusively of political and diplomatic measures. However, in Kiev, his comments were too close to the language used in preparing for the annexation of Crimea and the separatist rebellion.
"We have heard similar messages about the" protection of the Russian-speaking population "of the Russian Federation to justify its aggression against Ukraine," tweeted Mariana Betsa, spokeswoman of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ukraine has obtained Thursday the approval of a synod in Istanbul, headquarters of the world spiritual leader of Orthodox Christians, to establish a church called "autocephalous" or independent.
The next step will be for Ukraine to bring together its various elements of Orthodox faith in this new church, which involves deciding the fate of church buildings and monasteries, some of which are aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church.
"I plead against provocations and speculation," Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov wrote to Twitter.
"The Ministry of the Interior will ensure security and public order.If it is necessary to prevent extremism and religious hatred, it (the ministry) will act rigidly – and will not leave this unexpected surprise for the "burned heads"! "
(Written by Matthias Williams, edited by David Stamp)
