Vilnius bans Patriarch Kirill from entering Lithuania

Lithuania banned Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, from entering the country because of his support for Russia in the war in Ukraine, Report informs via RBC-Ukraine.

Patriarch Kirill will not be able to visit Lithuania until June 23, 2027.

According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Internal Affairs, Patriarch Kirill is included in the list because he deliberately denies Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, justifies and supports the aggressive actions of Russia, grossly violating the norms and principles of international law.

Patriarch Kirill, a close associate of Vladimir Putin, is one of the most vocal supporters of the war against Ukraine, who has repeatedly spoken positively about the ongoing Russian aggression in public, the ministry noted.

On February 27, 2022, Patriarch Kirill blessed the Russian soldiers participating in the war against Ukraine and gave the canonical justification for the war waged by Russia.