Putin, Patriarch Kirill Discussed Church Construction In Yekaterinburg - Peskov

Sumaira FH Published May 27, 2019 | 04:41 PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill discussed the controversial issue regarding the possible construction of a new church in Yekaterinburg during their meeting last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 27th May, 2019) Russian President Vladimir Putin and Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill discussed the controversial issue regarding the possible construction of a new church in Yekaterinburg during their meeting last week, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday.

The construction of the St. Catherine church in a Yekaterinburg city park has been opposed by many locals and even triggered protests in the city. Protesters have argued that there are enough churches in the area and insisted that the park be preserved instead. Local authorities, in turn, have said that the project meets all legal requirements. Putin has suggested polling city residents as an easy way to gauge the public's opinion.

"Yes, they addressed this situation. We have repeatedly said that they exchange views on the most pressing and diverse issues on the current agenda in a very frank manner during their meetings.

I cannot add any details in this regard," Peskov said, asked a corresponding question.

Asked whether the president's and patriarch's positions on the problem coincided, Peskov told reporters that it was possible to compare them without additional comments on his behalf.

A poll by Russian Public Opinion Research Center published last week revealed that 74 percent of respondents considered the park near the drama theater as unsuitable site for the new church. Commenting on the survey, the Yekaterinburg church authorities said that it was conducted amid heightened tensions and therefore did not clearly reflect the public's attitude toward the issue.

After the results of the poll were published, Peskov said that the Kremlin would not interfere in the ongoing dispute and that the local authorities should settle the disagreements on their own, in accordance with the poll results.