Bulgaria threatens to block the 21st sanction package proposed by the EU against Russia, if it also targets Patriarch Kirill. The information was published by European Pravda, referring to diplomats from Brussels.
The subject was discussed at a meeting last week of EU ambassadors, reports hotnews.ro. At the meeting, Bulgaria expressed its opposition to including the Russian patriarch on the sanctions list, arguing that such a move would be equivalent to meddling in religious affairs.
Patriarch Kirill, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly expressed his support for the war in Ukraine. The cleric has stated in his sermons that soldiers who die on the front will be absolved of sins.
The 21st sanctions package requires the unanimous approval of all 27 EU states to be adopted.
The sanctions package was presented by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on June 9 and also includes a ban on entry into the EU for former Russian combatants who fought against Ukraine. Officials in Brussels hope that these measures will be approved by July 15.