Bulgaria opposes EU plans to include Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in latest sanctions package

Jun 17, 2026 - 15:12

Bulgaria has raised an objection to the European Union's 21st package of sanctions against Russia because of plans to include Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, on the sanctions list.

Source: European Pravda, citing two EU diplomats familiar with the discussions who spoke on condition of anonymity

Details: When EU ambassadors discussed the EU's latest Russia sanctions package last week, Bulgaria said it disagreed with Patriarch Kirill being added to the sanctions list, viewing this as interference in religious affairs.

Sources told European Pravda that several countries, including Bulgaria, also raised concerns about proposed sanctions in the energy sector. The 21st package includes a proposal to freeze the Russian oil price cap to prevent it from rising.

The Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) is scheduled to meet again on 17 June at 16:30 Kyiv time to continue discussions on the European Commission's proposed 21st Russia sanctions package.

Background:

On 9 June, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the EU's 21st Russia sanctions package.
The package includes a proposal to ban entry to the EU for former Russian combatants who fought against Ukraine.
The 21st sanctions package must now be unanimously approved by the Council of the EU.
European Pravda sources have reported that the package is expected to be adopted by 15 July, ahead of the deadline for reviewing the Russian oil price cap.