Archbishop Balashov Responds to Ukrainian MIA Allegation About Patriarch Kirill

Archbishop Nikolai Balashov, a trusted advisor to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, dismissed the claim from Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs that the patriarch was being sought as erroneous. The report came through RIA Novosti, which cited Balashov in presenting the archbishop’s response to the Ukrainian assertion and the broader controversy surrounding religious leaders in times of geopolitical strain. Balashov emphasized that no credible warrants or legitimate requests for arrest applied to Kirill, framing the allegation as unsubstantiated rhetoric in a moment of heightened tensions between Kyiv and Moscow. The remark was delivered with a tone of calm insistence, underscoring the patriarch’s willingness to cooperate with legitimate legal processes while maintaining that there are no grounds for persecution or evasion. In Balashov’s view, the patriarch is a public figure who does not retreat from scrutiny or accountability, and his invitation to engage in open dialogue reflects a tradition of transparent leadership within the Russian Orthodox Church. The exchange, set against a backdrop of political conflict, illustrates how religious authority is treated as a potential instrument in broader strategic narratives, even as church figures assert their role in spiritual guidance for millions across Russia and neighboring regions.