US Orthodox archbishop apologizes for controversial meeting with Putin in Alaska

The church leader's statement was published on August 22. In it, Alexei said he wants to offer a "sincere apology" to everyone affected by his meeting with Putin.

He acknowledged that many people criticized him for meeting the Russian leader. They pointed out that he did not raise the issue of demanding peace in Ukraine.

Archbishop stressed that the meeting had no connection to the official position of the Orthodox Church in the United States. The church has repeatedly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and that stance remains unchanged.

"I am deeply sorry for the scandal that I have caused," he said.

Metropolitan Tikhon, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, also issued a statement. He confirmed that Alexei met with Putin solely on his own initiative and without the blessing of the Synod. Tikhon reiterated that the Orthodox Church in the United States condemns the war and calls for its end.

The meeting took place at a memorial cemetery in Anchorage on August 15, after Putin's summit with US President Donald Trump. During the encounter, Alexei presented Putin with an icon of St. Herman of Alaska, a local saint. In return, Putin gifted two icons. The meeting sparked strong outrage among parishioners of the Orthodox Church in America.

Alaska summit

The Trump-Putin summit in Anchorage focused on Russia's war in Ukraine. Trump said no agreement on a ceasefire was reached and that further steps depend on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

At the meeting, Putin made a series of demands. They included recognition of Crimea as part of Russia, withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas, freezing the front line in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, lifting some sanctions, and Ukraine abandoning NATO membership.