Bulgaria to veto sanctions against Russia over Russian Patriarch
Bulgaria has announced that it is prepared to use its right to veto new European sanctions against Russia. The reason for this decision is the inclusion of the Russian Patriarch Kirill in the European Union's list of sanctioned individuals.
According to the official position of the Bulgarian government, imposing sanctions on a spiritual leader is unacceptable. President Rumen Radev emphasized that such measures could lead to division and are inappropriate in the context of religious institutions.
This decision places Bulgaria in a specific position relative to the other member states of the European Union. Diplomatic efforts in Brussels are ongoing as a balance is sought between the union's common foreign policy and the country's national interests.
The inclusion of the Patriarch in the sanctions list is part of a broader package of measures aimed at Russian officials and organizations due to the war in Ukraine. It is expected that further discussions will take place in the coming days to clarify whether a compromise will be reached or if Sofia will officially block the decision.