At a meeting with Shmyhal, the head of the Phanar stressed the importance of implementing “initiatives in which both sides are interested”.

On August 24, at of the Cabinet of Ministers, a meeting was held between the head of the Phanar, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, and the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmyhal, reports the government’s website.

Shmyhal thanked the head of the Phanar for a “symbolic visit” to Ukraine. The Prime Minister called this visit “a sign of support for the Ukrainian people” and said that it “promotes spiritual unity and harmony”.

During the meeting, Patriarch Bartholomew noted that state-church cooperation in Ukraine is “at a high level”. The head of the Phanar reminded the Prime Minister of “further steps” to implement “a number of initiatives in which both sides are interested”. The Cabinet of Ministers did not specify what are these initiatives, apart from the issue of environmental protection.

Patriarch Bartholomew, whose throne, according to the Tomos, the OCU is subordinate to, also told Shmyhal that he was glad to celebrate “the independence of your Church”.

As reported, the expert said that the visit of the Phanar head to Ukraine is a completely political decision.