Metropolitan Tikhon Shevkunov, who is known to be exceptionally close with the Russian premier, dramatically said there needs to be ‘peace by the will of God’ between the two nations.

The bishop, who is widely seen as Putin’s spiritual adviser called the war, which began with Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February, an ‘unprecedented tragedy’ and said it ‘should end with peace’.

The remarks are an extraordinary intervention by the clergyman and have sparked suggestions that Putin may be open to a deal after his humiliating defeat in Kherson. …

In an interview with Rossiya 1 channel, and presumably speaking with Putin’s permission, the 64-year-old bishop admitted the conflict is beginning to weigh heavily on the minds of Russians.

‘We must speak about what we wake up with, what’s in our heads all day long, and what we go to bed with – it’s Ukraine,’ he said.

‘There is no doubt we are living through an unprecedented tragedy, a fateful stage in the life of our people, our country, and Ukraine.

[Maybe he should tell Putin to withdraw and do penance. — Ed]