Italy has joined Bulgaria in voicing concerns about plans to sanction Russia’s Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, according to three EU diplomats informed on the deliberations.
Chief EU diplomat Kaja Kallas has proposed an EU visa ban for Kirill, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin who has repeatedly praised and justified Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as part of the EU’s 21st package of sanctions against Russia.
But the move has run into objections from Bulgaria, which has a substantial Orthodox population, as well as a “reservation” — diplomatic language for concerns that need to be resolved, short of a veto — from Rome. The three diplomats were granted anonymity to discuss closed-door deliberations on sanctions.
Rome’s concern stems from the Vatican and centers on unease about sanctioning the leader of a Christian denomination, according to one of the diplomats. A spokesperson from Italy’s permanent representation to the EU declined to comment.
EU diplomats have also been discussing a proposal to freeze a price cap on Russian oil sales, currently established at $44 per barrel. The proposal from Kallas’s office is to delay a review of the price cap, which is due to come in mid-July and would automatically increase if no action is taken.
Greece, Malta and Cyprus — all countries with substantial shipping sectors that help service Russian vessels — have objected to delaying the price cap review, according to the same diplomats. Greece and Malta previously objected to a proposal to ban providing maritime services to Russian vessels, leading to the proposal’s suspension.
Another point of friction is a proposal to ban Russian former combatants from entering the EU. France and Italy have voiced concerns, per the same diplomats.
The 21st package of sanctions, unveiled by Kallas on June 9, targets Russia’s military-industrial and financial sectors supporting its war against Ukraine. The combination of sanctions and Ukrainian long-range strikes on Russia’s oil refining sector is taking a toll on the country’s economy, with two-thirds of Russia’s 83 regions reporting problems with fuel supply.