The bishop has close ties to Putin and has been called his “personal confessor” – He admitted that the conflict has begun to take a psychological toll on Russian citizens.
His confessor appealed for peace Russian President Putinbishop of Pskov Tikhon Shevkunov, in a move that caused surprise, but also questions.
In an interview with Russia’s Rossiya 1 channel, Putin’s spiritual leader calls for an end to the war with “Ukrainian brothers” but says only the Almighty can resolve the conflict now.
The bishop maintains close ties with Vladimir Putin and is called his “personal confessor”.
The bishop’s appeal comes after the Russians they were forced to leave Kherson.
There must be “peace with the will of God” between the two nations he notes.
Tykhon called the war, which began with Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February, an “unprecedented tragedy” and said it “must end in peace.”
This open intervention of the clergy which came as a surprise, perhaps indicating that Putin may be open to a deal after his humiliating defeat in Kherson, as the 64-year-old is believed to have ruled out making statements without Putin’s permission.
In fact, in his interview the bishop admitted that the conflict has begun to affect Russian citizens psychologically.
“We have to say what we wake up with, what we have in our heads all day and what we go to bed with – it’s Ukraine,” he said characteristically.
“There is no doubt that we are living an unprecedented tragedy, a fatal stage in the life of our people, our country and Ukraine.”
“How will it end? We will, of course, pray that it ends peacefully and safely. Everyone is asking for peace now.”
The bishop added that he was of the view that “only God Almighty” can bring an end to the bloodshed.
“We need peace with the will of God, to resolve this issue, these fights, this hatred between brothers,” Shevkunov said.
“Even if they don’t want to call us brothers now” he said of the Ukrainians, “we understand that they are brothers, and not long ago they called us brothers.”
“Only Almighty God can solve everything, I have no doubt about that,” he asserted.
He claimed that Putin had launched the invasion, (“a special military operation”) because he had evidence that it was necessary.
He then claimed: “I have not seen a single case or episode, I have not seen a single countryman with hatred for Ukrainians.”
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