Ukrainian Orthodox comment on Patriarch of Moscow visit

I found this wording very interesting.

Kyiv (RISU) — The rector of the Kyivan Orthodox Theological Academy, Archbishop Dymytrii (Rudiuk), participated in a live broadcast of the international news service of Radio Ukraine on 13 March 2008 in which he was asked about the Kyiv Patriarchate’s position on possible participation of Patriarch Alexis II of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) in the celebration of the 1020th anniversary of the baptism of Rus in Kyiv. Bishop Dymytrii noted: “We will recognize this visit if it is conducive to Church unity. We know that President Yushchenko agrees with this rationale as is evident in his proposal, but we don’t yet know if the Moscow Patriarch is going to come, as there has been no official response. If the Head of the Russian Church comes, we expect constructive dialogue between the Churches of the Kyivan and Moscow Patriarchates in order to quash hostility between our Churches.”

Ukrainian Orthodoxy reports that Archbishop Dymytrii concedes that Patriarch Alexis’ visit to the Ukrainian capital may provoke protests: “Yes, I concede that protests are possible, he responded to the presenter. Because the faithful of the Moscow Patriarchate also protested against the visit of the Roman Pope to Ukraine. And I remember the protests in Kyiv during Alexis’ visit in 1990. Therefore, protests are possible this time as well.
“Our Church has no intention to organize any protests. We did not protest against the Pope, neither will we protest against Alexis II. Any Church head has a right to visit his flock and pray with it. A well reasoned statement. But if the Patriarch of Moscow interferes in Ukraine’s internal affairs and stirs up hatred between the believers by his statements, we will respond accordingly,” stated Bishop Dymytrii.