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But Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, Natalia Galibarenko, said the invite ran the risk of legitimising Russian aggression in the war-ravaged country, which Kirill has publicly supported.

Patriarch Kirill will visit the Queen’s residence this week in an aim to “strengthen mutual trust” between Russia and Britain, which marks his first visit for many years.

Woman has hijab ripped from head in attack on Oxford Street

Patriarch Kirill and Vladimir Putin are said to be good friends

Kirill is a strong supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin and once described him as a “miracle of God”.

He previously praised Russia’s actions in Syria as a holy war and of Russian action in Ukraine, saying the people have a “right to be united”.

Relations between the West and Russia are currently at boiling point over Putin’s actions in the Syrian city of Allepo.

Boris Johnson said he would like to see a protest against the bombing of Allepo, which has become the most high-profile battleground in the country’s five year civil war.

But Moscow played down the claims they are responsible for the bombings saying it was “Russophobia hysteria”.