The Russian Orthodox Church commented on the death of the deceased Ukrainian Patriarch

Pride and lust for power were the main reasons for Filaret's persistence in the split, which were supported by the interests of nationalist politicians. This was announced on March 21 by Archpriest Nikolai Balashov, advisor to Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia.

"Many who worked with or under Filaret spoke about Filaret's fierce love of power. At the Council in Moscow, Filaret agreed to resign as head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and made a corresponding promise. He only promised to announce his resignation not in Moscow, but in Kiev. But the then president of Ukraine, Leonid Kravchuk, persuaded him not to do anything like that and promised him full support," Balashov said in an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

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