Bulgaria blocks sanctions against Patriarch Kirill
Patriarch Kirill. Photo: patriarchia.ru
On June 17, 2026, Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova confirmed that the country’s government is blocking part of the proposals in the EU’s new sanctions package against Russia. The initiatives concern Patriarch Kirill personally. Bulgaria explained its decision by the lack of any real economic effect from such steps, Sofia Globe reports.
“Bulgaria’s position is clear – we support sanctions that have a real economic effect,” Petrova told journalists. According to her, restrictions against a spiritual leader fall into the category of “symbolic measures” that do not help end the conflict but harm EU member states.
The minister stressed that sanctions should exert economic pressure in order to bring about a return to negotiations, rather than cause EU countries more damage than the country waging the war. At present, EU countries continue to discuss the 21st package, with many states voicing reservations about its final version.
Until recently, the initiative to add the Primate of the ROC to the “blacklists” had consistently been blocked by Hungary. However, after the government of Péter Magyar came to power, Budapest signaled its readiness to allow sanctions against the head of the ROC.
As the UOJ reported, the European Union imposed sanctions on a ROC metropolitan.
Read also
Konovalets temporarily reinterred at a cemetery in Kyiv
The remains of OUN founder Konovalets have been temporarily reinterred at a cemetery in Kyiv; the ashes will later be transferred to the Ukrainian National Pantheon.
Doctor: Ukraine needs eight children per woman to restore 2022 population
The director of the Kyiv Perinatal Center said that to restore Ukraine’s population to its 2022 level, every woman would have to give birth to eight children.
Cherkasy RMA head reports Uman's preparations for Hasidic pilgrims' visit
Uman will strengthen security measures, medical services, transportation, and checkpoints, and an operational headquarters will be established for the duration of Rosh Hashanah celebrations.
In Italy, RCC priest commits suicide over transfer to another parish
In Italy, a 75-year-old Roman Catholic priest took his own life after after the announcement of a transfer from the parish where he had served for nearly 25 years.
UOC believers in Yakushyntsi call to protect their churches from seizure
Parishioners of St. Nicholas Church and the Church of Seraphim of Sarov declared a violation of their religious rights and asked the international community to pay attention to the situation.
Protestant missionary abducted by militants released in Niger
An American Protestant missionary spent nearly ten months in captivity in Niger, where Islamist militant activity has intensified.