EU Drops Sanctions on Lukoil Founder and Russian Patriarch

The EU has decided against sanctioning Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, and the founder of Russia's largest private oil company, Lukoil, following Bulgaria's objection to the proposal. This decision comes despite Kirill's vocal support for President Vladimir Putin and his backing of the war in Ukraine, which has drawn significant criticism from the EU. The move highlights the complex diplomatic dynamics within the EU, where national interests sometimes override collective sanctions efforts. This decision could impact international perceptions of the EU's commitment to penalizing Russian war supporters.