Italy, Bulgaria raise concerns over EU sanctions targeting Russian patriarch Kirill

Italy has joined Bulgaria in expressing reservations over a proposed European Union plan to sanction Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, according to three EU diplomats familiar with the discussions cited by Politico.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has proposed introducing a visa ban on Patriarch Kirill as part of the EU’s 21st package of sanctions against Russia. Kirill, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly voiced support for Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

However, the proposal has faced resistance from several member states. Bulgaria, which has a large Orthodox Christian population, has formally expressed objections, while Italy has raised a “reservation” — diplomatic terminology indicating concerns that must be addressed but do not amount to a veto, the diplomats said.

According to one EU diplomat, Italy’s concerns are linked in part to the Vatican and broader sensitivities around imposing sanctions on a prominent Christian religious leader. Italy’s permanent representation to the EU declined to comment.

The 21^st package of sanctions, unveiled by Kallas on June 9, targets Russia’s military-industrial and financial sectors supporting its war against Ukraine. 

Earlier, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Sofia would also place reservations on the wider sanctions package, citing national interest considerations.

By Sabina Mammadli