The Vatican has also spoken out against sanctions against Patriarch Kirill

The Vatican and the Bulgarian government have expressed their opposition to the European Union’s plans to include the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, in the 21st round of sanctions. Diplomatic sources indicate that the EU’s initiative has encountered serious resistance from Rome and Sofia, according toPolitico.

The draft sanctions package, scheduled for adoption on July 15, 2026, calls for freezing the patriarch’s assets in Europe and banning him from entering EU countries. The inclusion of these measures on the agenda was made possible by a shift in Hungary’s political stance; however, unanimous support from all EU member states is required for the sanctions to be finalized.

The Vatican has expressed concern that imposing restrictive measures against the leader of a Christian church sets a dangerous precedent for state interference in religious affairs. For its part, Bulgaria has sharply criticized the initiative. Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev emphasized that such actions are inappropriate in today’s world, while the country’s Foreign Minister, Velislava Petrova-Chamova, described the sanctions as “counterproductive,” noting that they could be used for anti-European propaganda.