Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Russian Patriarch Kirill (left), businessman Vagit Alekperov and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas (right)
Bulgaria has given its support for the European Union’s new sanctions package against Russia after several of Sofia’s objections were addressed during negotiations. Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova said in Brussels that Russian Patriarch Kirill and businessman Vagit Alekperov were removed from the proposed list, allowing Bulgaria to back the measures.
"Bulgarian reservations were taken into account and these two individuals are no longer in the proposed package, so on our part we are ready to support the package," Petrova said before the meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.
She stressed that defending Bulgaria’s position had not isolated the country within the EU, but instead showed that national interests could be protected through arguments and negotiations. "Obviously, defending the national position does not lead to isolation. Bulgaria can achieve its goals when it manages to defend its position with arguments," the minister said.
The 21st package of EU sanctions against Moscow has not yet received final approval from all member states. Petrova said that some issues remain unresolved, with Greece raising concerns related to the energy sector and Austria objecting to parts of the financial measures.
