Bulgaria opposes EU sanctions against the head of the ROC, Kirill

Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova confirmed on June 17 that the country's government opposes certain proposals in the 21st package of EU sanctions against Russia, specifically against the head of the ROC, Kirill, calling them "symbolic," reports The Sofia Globe, according to UNN.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the proposed 21st package of sanctions against Russia on June 9.

Politico reported on June 17 that Bulgaria has signaled its opposition to parts of the 21st package of EU sanctions against Russia, according to two diplomats.

Petrova, speaking to journalists, said: "Our main goal is to reach a situation where effective negotiations can be conducted."

"There are a number of elements that we do not support—on the one hand, in the energy sector, and on the other, sanctions related to the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kirill, which belong to the category of symbolic measures. They could be counterproductive," Petrova said.

She stated that the package is currently being discussed at the European Union level, many countries have reservations, and it is not yet in its final version.

"Bulgaria's position is clear—we support sanctions that have a real economic effect but do not lead to greater harm for member states than for the country waging the war," Petrova said.

"Sanctions are intended to exert economic pressure to reach a situation where continuing the war is unprofitable and to encourage a return to negotiations. When it comes to sanctions that are primarily symbolic in nature and have no real economic consequences, Bulgaria opposes them," she said.

Until now, the idea of blacklisting Kirill (Vladimir Gundyayev) in the EU has been consistently blocked by Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. However, with the new government of Péter Magyar coming to power, the country has expressed readiness to finally allow the head of the Russian Orthodox Church to be subject to sanctions.

Bulgaria has so far maintained a cautious stance on issues related to the Russian Orthodox Church and its patriarch, the publication notes.

During previous discussions on European sanctions against Kirill, it was among the countries expressing reservations, arguing for the need to protect religious freedom and avoid measures against spiritual leaders, the publication writes.

In 2018, Kirill attended the March 3 celebrations in Bulgaria, where he was met at the airport by Iliana Iotova, the then-vice president. She knelt before him and kissed his hand.

Subsequently, the Russian patriarch was received by the country's then-president, Rumen Radev. Kirill voiced sharp criticism of the Bulgarian state, expressing dissatisfaction that official speeches mentioned soldiers from other countries who participated in the Liberation War of 1877-1878.

Radev, who took office as Prime Minister on May 8, 2026, leads a government that, among other things, has stated that Bulgaria will no longer supply weapons to Ukraine.

EU may impose sanctions against ROC Patriarch Kirill – media09.06.26, 21:58 • 5276 views