Bondarenko: Building pantheon in Lavra will spark international scandal

Political analyst Kost Bondarenko. Photo: Bondarenko’s Facebook page

Plans to build the National Pantheon on the territory of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra will lead to a conflict between Ukraine and UNESCO, political analyst Kost Bondarenko told the UOJ.

“I think there will be a protest from UNESCO. I foresee very serious bureaucratic disputes between UNESCO and Ukraine,” the expert said.

He recalled that under the organization’s requirements, the architectural ensemble must remain in the form in which it was inscribed on the World Heritage List.

“Any new construction on this territory is impossible. Therefore, Ukraine may run into a very serious international scandal,” Bondarenko stressed.

The political analyst also pointed to the legal side of the issue: according to him, the authorities are deliberately ignoring norms that prevent construction on the territory of the reserve.

“They do not pay much attention to the existence of certain regulations or restrictions. However, if even the Constitution does not limit their actions, why should they reckon with other codes and acts? This is called voluntarism – when Zelensky’s will stands above any law,” he concluded.

As the UOJ reported, Ukraine cannot build a pantheon in the Lavra without UNESCO approval.

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