Bulgaria to veto EU sanctions against the Russian Patriarch
Bulgaria has announced that it is prepared to use its veto power against new European sanctions on Russia if the Russian Patriarch Kirill is included in the list of restrictive measures. This was announced by President Rumen Radev during an official visit abroad.
According to the Bulgarian position, including religious leaders in sanctions lists is a step that could lead to division and hinder dialogue. The President emphasized that while Bulgaria supports the common policy of the European Union, it has concerns regarding specific measures that affect spiritual figures.
Foreign policy analysts note that this decision by Sofia demonstrates a desire to maintain a balanced approach within European institutions. The issue of sanctions against Russian officials and organizations has been a subject of frequent discussions among EU member states since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine.
At present, it remains unclear whether the European Commission will revise its proposal to include the Patriarch on the list. The topic is expected to be discussed at the next summit of European Union leaders in Brussels.
The Bulgarian government continues to monitor the situation and coordinate its actions with other European partners. It remains to be seen what the next steps will be at the diplomatic level regarding this sensitive issue.