Bulgaria will not use its veto power to block the 21st package of EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus, although it has reservations about a number of points.
This position of the Bulgarian government was voiced by the countryʼs Minister of Defense Dimitar Stoyanov, Novinite reports.
First of all, Bulgaria opposes the inclusion of Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). The government believes that this will not increase pressure on Russia or help stop the war against Ukraine, but will only contribute to fueling anti-European sentiment.
Bulgaria is also asking to remove former president and current shareholder of Russian oil company Lukoil Vagit Alekperov from the sanctions list. The government fears that sanctions could harm the work of Lukoil group companies, which are important for the Bulgarian economy.
In addition, Sofia fears that sanctions could complicate the arbitration dispute with Lukoil, which is demanding almost €3 billion from Bulgaria.
Another caveat concerns the supply of spare parts for the Sofia metro. The Bulgarian authorities believe that sanctions against certain Russian companies could complicate the maintenance of trains. The Bulgarian government did not specify which Russian companies are servicing the Sofia metro.
In addition, the Bulgarian government opposes restrictions on “Togliattikhimbank”, which is involved in the supply of Russian fertilizers, and Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev, arguing that sport "should not be subject to sanctions".
- Recall that on July 3, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev said that the country would not support the 21st package of European Union sanctions against Russia if Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church and Lukoil co-founder Vagit Alekperov were not removed from it.
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