Bulgaria does not support the forthcoming part of the EU’s 21st package of sanctions against Russia – this statement was made by the country’s Foreign Minister, Velislava Petrova-Chamova, according to local media reports.
She said that Bulgaria objects to certain sanctions in the energy sector, as they could affect the country’s energy security.
Furthermore, Sofia opposes the imposition of sanctions against Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. In Petrova-Chamova’s view, this falls under the category of ‘symbolic sanctions’.
“They have no economic impact and may be counterproductive, creating an environment in which anti-European propaganda is spread and there is talk of European interference in church affairs,” the minister said.
Earlier in June, it emerged that the European Commission had included Patriarch Kirill in a draft of a new sanctions package – a decision justified by his support for the Russian army’s actions in Ukraine.
The head of the Russian Orthodox Church supports Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In particular, he has spoken of a “metaphysical struggle” taking place in the Donbas and claimed that Russia has never attacked anyone in its history. He is included on the sanctions lists of the UK, Canada and the Czech Republic. Estonia and Lithuania have banned him from entering their territories.
On 9 June, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, proposed the 21st package of sanctions, which, amongst other things, proposes banning military personnel who have participated in the war against Ukraine from entering the EU. Export and import restrictions are being expanded, as are sanctions against Russia’s energy and financial sectors.
The proposal is to be examined and approved by the EU Member States. Unanimous consent is required for the sanctions to be approved. The list of individuals subject to targeted sanctions is expanding with the introduction of each new package.