Bulgaria backs EU’s 21st Russia sanctions package after two names removed

Bulgaria has withdrawn its objections to the European Union's proposed 21st sanctions package against Russia after the names of Kirill, Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, and Vagit Alekperov, founder of Russian oil company Lukoil, were removed from the draft.

Speaking on the sidelines of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on July 13, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said Sofia was now ready to support the package, Ukrainian media reports.

“Bulgaria’s reservations have been taken into account, and these two individuals are no longer included in the proposed package; therefore, for our part, we are ready to support this package,” Petrova told journalists.

She also clarified that the lack of consensus on the sanctions package following a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) on July 12 was due to objections raised by other EU member states, not Bulgaria.

The EU's 21st package of sanctions against Russia still requires unanimous approval from all member states before it can be adopted.

By Sabina Mammadli