With Bulgaria's intervention, Russian Patriarch and Lukoil founder removed from EU sanctions list

Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kiril and Lukoil founder Vagit Alekperov were removed from the 21st sanctions package against Russia. This decision was made as a result of Bulgaria's persistent demand. This development, announced by a Bulgarian minister, brought the internal balances and common sanctions policies of the European Union back to the agenda.

Patriarch Kiril was included in previous sanctions lists due to his explicit support for Russia's attack on Ukraine. Alekperov, as the head of the energy giant Lukoil, was a target of Western sanctions. The removal of both names from the list raised discussions about whether the EU's pressure on Russia is easing or if it was a diplomatic bargain among member states.