The Bulgarian Parliament is divided regarding the EU sanctions against Russia, targeting Patriarch Kirill.

The Bulgarian Parliament is deeply divided regarding the new European Union sanctions package against Russia, after the inclusion of Russian Patriarch Kirill on the list of measures sparked major controversy. This situation has generated debates that go beyond the religious sphere, touching on issues of national interest and geopolitical alignment.

The opposition party GERB has challenged the government's position, stating that the sanctions do not target the Russian Orthodox Church as an institution, but rather Patriarch Kirill's role in supporting the war in Ukraine.

Daniel Mitov, a GERB MP, emphasized that history should not influence current foreign policy. Criticism also came from the liberal opposition, which warned that Bulgaria risks political isolation.

Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that the country will block the sanctions, arguing that they could affect Bulgaria's economy and that politics and religion should not be mixed. Radev emphasized solidarity with the Russian Orthodox community, considering himself part of the same family.