Bulgaria has announced it will not support certain elements of the European Union’s proposed new sanctions package against Russia, specifically rejecting measures targeting Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill and energy giant Lukoil.
The announcement was made by Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova on Wednesday as EU member states continue negotiations over what would become the bloc’s 21st sanctions package since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.
Speaking in Sofia, Petrova emphasized that Bulgaria remains committed to sanctions that have a “real economic impact” on Russia but will oppose measures that she believes are symbolic or could hurt European Union member states more than Moscow itself.
“The Bulgarian position is very clear. We support sanctions that have an economic effect, that do not penalize member states more than the country at war, and that are not symbolic,” Petrova stated.
Bulgaria Rejects Sanctions on Patriarch Kirill
One of the most controversial points in the latest sanctions package is the proposal to target Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church and a vocal supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Petrova warned that sanctioning a religious figure could fuel anti-European narratives and strengthen Russian propaganda efforts.
According to the Bulgarian minister, such a move could create “fertile ground for anti-European propaganda” by allowing critics to accuse Brussels of interfering in religious affairs.
She also questioned the practical effect of freezing Kirill’s assets, describing the measure as largely symbolic.
Concerns Over Lukoil Restrictions
Bulgaria also objected to sanctions that could directly impact Lukoil and its subsidiaries, citing concerns over economic consequences for EU countries heavily linked to Russian energy infrastructure.
Lukoil remains one of Russia’s largest oil producers and has maintained significant operations across Europe despite previous rounds of sanctions.
EU Pushes Forward with 21st Sanctions Package
The EU has steadily expanded its sanctions regime against Russia since the conflict in Ukraine escalated in February 2022. Earlier this week, the bloc added 81 new individuals and entities to its sanctions list for alleged support of Russia’s military operations.
However, divisions among member states continue to emerge over how far Brussels should go, particularly when sanctions risk creating economic or political blowback within Europe itself.
Bulgaria’s refusal highlights growing cracks within the EU on sanctions policy, as governments balance pressure on Moscow with domestic economic and political realities.
The latest round of negotiations is expected to continue in the coming days, with several key measures still under discussion.