Bulgaria opposes the European Union sanctions against Patriarch Kirill

Bulgaria has declared that it will not support the 21st package of sanctions proposed by the European Union against Russia if it includes Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church.

During a recent meeting of EU ambassadors, Bulgaria expressed its opposition to sanctioning the patriarch, arguing that this move would constitute an interference in religious matters.

Kirill, a supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been criticized for his support of the war in Ukraine, and several European countries have called for sanctions against him. The sanctions package requires unanimous approval from the 27 EU member states, and Bulgaria has warned that it will not support the measures without changes.

The European Commission hopes to finalize and adopt the sanctions before July 15.