EU Drops Patr. Kirill From Proposed Russia Sanctions

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — Patr. Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, has been removed from the European Union's draft 21st sanctions package after Bulgaria and Italy objected to including a religious leader among those targeted by the proposed restrictions.

According to Ukrainska Pravda and European Pravda, Bulgaria first requested that Patr. Kirill's name be deleted from the sanctions list, with Italy later backing the effort. The revised draft also excludes Vagit Alekperov, founder of the Russian oil company Lukoil, as EU governments worked to reach consensus before a planned meeting of foreign ministers in Brussels. Diplomats told European Pravda that the overall package has been substantially softened during negotiations.

Several other measures have reportedly been weakened or dropped entirely. Proposals to ban imports of Russian cod, pollock, and other fish products have been removed, while plans for stricter restrictions on Russian liquefied natural gas and related tanker operations are no longer expected to move forward. Member states have, however, reportedly agreed in principle to temporarily reduce the price cap on Russian oil to $44.10 per barrel.

Not all issues have been settled. Austria continues to seek sanctions relief for the Russian investment company Rasperia, which has been linked to businessman Oleg Deripaska and is involved in legal claims against a subsidiary of Austria's Raiffeisen Bank. EU ambassadors have yet to finalize the complete sanctions package, though ministers are expected to consider the revised proposal in Brussels.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Bulgaria opposed parts of the proposed EU sanctions package on Russia.