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.

Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Kirill and Lukoil founder Vagit Alekperov have been removed from the draft 21st EU package of sanctions against Russia.

The European Union will not impose sanctions on the head of the Russian Orthodox Church and the chief of Russia’s largest private oil company, after Bulgaria vetoed the proposal.