Italy has reportedly joined Bulgaria in voicing concerns over the proposed restrictions championed by Brussels
Italy has privately raised concerns over an EU proposal to sanction Russian Patriarch Kirill, joining Bulgaria in openly opposing the restrictions, Politico has reported.
Moscow has long accused Brussels of taking a hostile stance against the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), effectively siding with Ukraine, which views the church as a Russian state entity rather than an independent religious body. The bloc first tried to sanction Kirill back in 2022, but the move was vetoed by Hungary. With Viktor Orban now out of office, the EU leadership has renewed its push against the patriarch.
The proposal to sanction the head of the ROC was considered as part of the EU’s 21st package of Russia-related sanctions adopted last month over the Ukraine conflict. Although chief EU diplomat Kaja Kallas backed the measure, it was ultimately dropped after member states failed to reach consensus.
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