The recent statement of Patriarch Kirill about coming to Ukraine is of merely political nature. Yuriy Ruban, the Chief of Main Department for the Humanitarian Policy Issues of the presidential administration of Ukraine reported that as Pryamyi news channel reported.
'Somehow, I believe it's about Russia affecting the elections in Ukraine. All the tools are involved. The key thing is not about coming to Ukraine; that he could dream of as much as he wants to. He (Patriarch Kirill, - 112 International) speaks of changing the political picture; he speaks of hopes of power change in Ukraine, which may open the door to pro-Kremlin candidates', Ruban said.
Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill stated he hoped to visit Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra and meet the parish of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate as TASS reported.
“I preserve a hope that I will be able to pray in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, meet my faithful people, archbishopric of the Ukrainian church, which heroically defense canonical Orthodoxy,” he said.
He also urged the parish of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate to “firmly stay with faith” and “resist the temptation”.
“The spiritual, cultural, civilized unity of the Russians and Ukrainians is stronger than temporary political schemes and models, which work to ruin this unity,” he stated.