Bulgaria Threatens to Veto Sanctions Against Russia Over Russian Patriarch
Bulgaria has announced that it may veto the new European Union sanctions against Russia. The reason for this decision is the possible inclusion of Russian Patriarch Kirill in the list of sanctioned individuals. President Rumen Radev confirmed this position and emphasized the importance of the issue for the country.
The European Union is preparing a new package of measures against Russia due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. These sanctions aim to limit the country's economic and political capabilities. However, the proposal to sanction religious leaders has sparked serious discussions among member states.
According to the Bulgarian authorities, imposing restrictions on the head of the Russian Orthodox Church is not the right move. Sofia believes that such an action could hinder future diplomatic efforts and relations between Orthodox communities. Therefore, Bulgaria is ready to use its right of veto to stop the adoption of the entire package of measures if the patriarch remains on the list.
The situation remains tense, as the adoption of new sanctions requires full consensus from all EU countries. Further negotiations are ahead in Brussels, where Bulgarian representatives will defend their position. The final decision on this important international issue is expected to be made in the coming days.