Patriarch Kirill has a new defender in Europe
Bulgaria has stated that it will not support the 21st package of European Union sanctions against Russia if two names are not excluded from it, reports "European Pravda".
An active supporter and inspirer of the aggressive war, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow releases a dove of peace. Photo: AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated that his country is ready to block the adoption of the package if Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church and Vagit Alekperov, co-owner of "Lukoil" in Bulgaria, remain on the sanctions list. Bulgarian authorities explain their position by the need to protect the country's energy interests.
Radev noted that the issue does not concern the person of the patriarch himself, but his status as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. He also emphasized that Bulgaria will defend its position at the EU level.
In previous years, the country that actively resisted the inclusion of Patriarch Kirill, an active supporter of Russia's war with Ukraine, in the sanctions lists was Hungary, led by long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. This politician and his "Fidesz" party suffered a crushing defeat in the parliamentary elections this April, but at the same time, a pro-Russian coalition "Progressive Bulgaria" won in Bulgaria, whose leader, former president Rumen Radev, headed the new government.
Earlier, it was reported that other countries, including Italy, also joined the discussion of sanctions initiatives, expressing concerns about certain points of the package.
The new, 21st package of EU sanctions against Russia is planned to be agreed upon soon.