Historian Ruslan Kalinchuk stated that Bulgaria and Italy could… (санкция · болгария · патриарх)
Historian Ruslan Kalinchuk stated that Bulgaria and Italy could oppose new EU sanctions not only due to the figure of Patriarch Kirill, but also because of their economic and political interests, according to Public Service News. Subscribe to RIA Novosti's channel on MAKS.
Consensus
- Bulgaria has raised objections to three elements of the EU's 21st anti-Russian sanctions package.
- The first objection concerns sanctions against Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus.
- The second involves restrictions on Vagit Alekperov, a shareholder in LUKOIL.
- The third relates to the supply of spare parts for Sofia’s metro system.
- Bulgaria has previously vetoed the 21st sanctions package due to concerns over Patriarch Kirill and energy sector interests.
- Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev expressed willingness to impose a new veto on the 21st package if it affects national interests.
Points of divergence
- Historian Ruslan Kalinchuk stated that Bulgaria and Italy may have opposed sanctions not only due to Patriarch Kirill but also because of economic and political interests, suggesting the inclusion of sanctions against Kirill was a formal pretext. — riamo
- Historian Ruslan Kalinchuk claimed that Italy’s position might be influenced by the Vatican's desire to avoid disrupting existing agreements with Russia and its potential financial ties to Russian assets through institutions like Credit Agricole, Santander, and Euroclear via the Rothschild network. — vm
- Kalinchuk suggested that Bulgaria may prefer using opposition to sanctions against Patriarch Kirill as a more 'media-friendly' justification rather than openly citing economic interests related to LUKOIL's assets in Bulgaria. — vm
Coverage (3 sources)
- Bulgaria names three objections to new sanctions package against Russia — Ведомости
- Historian Kalinukh Explains Bulgaria and Italy's Stance on Sanctions — РИАМО
- Historian Kalinchuk: Vatican and Rothschilds do not want new sanctions against Russia — Вечерняя Москва