---
title: "Vatican Opposes Sanctions: Italy and Bulgaria Sabotage EU Plans to Ban Patriarch Kirill"
description: "Italy and Bulgaria have blocked EU plans to impose sanctions against Patriarch Kirill. 🇮🇹🇧🇬 The Vatican spoke out against restrictions on the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, while Greece and Malta opposed freezing oil prices. The 21st package of measures risks failing due to internal disagreements. 🚫🇷🇺"
date: 2026-07-03T14:58:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/vatican-opposes-sanctions-italy-and-bulgaria-sabotage-eu-plans-to-ban-patriarch-kirill
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Vatican Opposes Sanctions: Italy and Bulgaria Sabotage EU Plans to Ban Patriarch Kirill

![Patriarch Kirill and Vladimir Putin at a meeting, discussing issues related to sanctions and international politics](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/03/italiya-i-bolgariya-protiv-sanktsiy-protiv-patriarha-kirilla/italiya-i-bolgariya-protiv-sanktsiy-protiv-patriarha-kirilla-1.webp)

Negotiations within the European Union regarding the 21st package of sanctions against Russia have encountered a serious internal crisis. Member states are unable to reach a consensus on key points, including the introduction of restrictions against the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, and the tightening of control over the Russian fleet.

### The Patriarch Issue: The Position of Rome and Bulgaria

As confirmed by three EU diplomats, Italy has officially joined Bulgaria in expressing concern over plans to impose sanctions against Patriarch Kirill. Previously, the head of the EU's diplomatic service, Kaja Kallas, proposed including a visa ban for the Russian religious leader, whom she calls a "lackey" of Vladimir Putin.

However, Rome categorically disagrees with such a move. According to sources, the concerns of the Italian side come directly from the Vatican. The Vatican expresses serious concern about imposing sanctions against the leader of one of the largest Christian denominations in the world, despite the fact that the Patriarch has repeatedly supported and justified the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Bulgaria, for its part, is ready to veto the entire new package of sanctions if the clause regarding restrictions on the Patriarch is adopted. At the same time, the situation in Hungary is changing: the country's new government has declared support for sanctions against Kirill, unlike former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who previously advocated for his protection.

### Disagreements over the Oil "Cap" and the Fleet

Aside from the religious issue, EU diplomats are discussing a proposal to freeze the price "cap" on Russian oil at the current level of $44 per barrel. However, serious disagreements have arisen here as well.

Greece, Malta, and Cyprus are opposing this step. These countries possess a significant shipping sector that actively services Russian vessels. Previously, Greece and Malta had already rejected proposals to ban maritime services for Russian ships, fearing blows to their own economies.

### The Question of Combatants

Another stumbling block has been the proposal to ban entry into the EU for former Russian combatants. According to diplomats, France and Italy have expressed concern about this point, which again puts the unanimous adoption of the package of measures at risk.