Bulgaria to veto sanctions against Russia over the Russian Patriarch
Bulgaria has announced that it is prepared to veto new European sanctions against Russia if the Russian Patriarch Kirill is included in the list of restrictive measures. This was announced by President Rumen Radev, emphasizing the country's position regarding religious leaders.
According to the Bulgarian state leadership, including clergy in sanctions lists is not the right approach. Sofia's argument is that such actions could lead to division and hinder the dialogue that is important for the international community.
Bulgaria's foreign policy on this issue is aimed at maintaining a balance between the common decisions of the European Union and national interests. The authorities in Sofia have expressed concerns that sanctioning the head of the Russian Orthodox Church could have negative consequences for religious peace.
The topic has sparked a wide response in European institutions, as every EU member state has a vote in the adoption of sanctions. Bulgaria's decision shows that the country will defend its position, even when it differs from that of the majority of European partners.
At the moment, the situation remains a subject of discussion in Brussels. It is expected that in the coming weeks it will become clear whether European leaders will change the sanctions list in order to reach unanimity among all member states.