Sofia: Bulgaria's premier announced on Thursday that the nation will not support sanctions on Russia that could harm its own economy. "We won't allow sanctions against Russia that impact negatively the Bulgarian economy," Rumen Radev stated to reporters in Sofia.

According to Anadolu Agency, Radev's comments were made following Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova's statement that Sofia would not endorse sanctions against Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. Radev explained that Bulgaria's stance for the upcoming European Council summit in Brussels would be determined after consulting with colleagues.

Radev questioned the success of the sanctions imposed on Russia since the conflict in Ukraine began in 2022, suggesting it is time to evaluate their role in promoting peace in Ukraine. He pointed out that the conflict's reach has extended beyond the battlefield into areas such as religion, in response to proposals for sanctions on Kirill.

Radev expressed concern not for the patriarch himself, but for the millions of followers of the Russian Orthodox Church. When asked about a Russian attack on the Pechersk Lavra monastery in Kyiv, he condemned "any attack on civilian sites."

EU leaders are convening in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to address topics including competitiveness, the EU's long-term budget, Ukraine, the Middle East, migration, and other issues, as reported by the European Council.