By Riffat Kausar
Snn News Finland
Petrova Confirms Support Ahead of Brussels Council Meeting
Bulgaria Backs Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova arrived in Brussels for the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 13 July, where ministers were set to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine, the Middle East, and the Black Sea region.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Petrova said Bulgaria Backs reservations had been taken into account, with the two contested individuals no longer on the proposed sanctions list, making Sofia ready to support the package.
Patriarch Kirill and Alekperov Dropped From List
The adjustment followed weeks of Bulgarian objections. Bulgaria Backs had opposed sanctioning Russian Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill and Vagit Alekperov, the owner and former chairman of Lukoil.
Petrova confirmed on the sidelines of the Council meeting that these two individuals were removed from the proposed package, allowing Bulgaria Backs to support it.
She added that, at Bulgaria’s request, the head of a company supplying components for the Sofia metro was also removed from the sanctions list.
Greece and Austria Still Hold Reservations
Despite Bulgaria’s shift, full consensus has not been reached. Petrova said unresolved issues remain, with Greece raising concerns over the energy sector and Austria objecting to parts of the financial measures.
The minister stressed that defending Bulgaria’s national position had not isolated the country within the EU, saying Bulgaria could achieve its goals by defending its position with arguments.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, arriving separately at the same meeting, said the EU had not yet agreed on the 21st sanctions package but hoped to approve roughly 250 additional sanctions items during the session.
Planned Visit to Kyiv on Energy Security
According to the original report, Petrova also announced a planned visit to Kyiv on Wednesday, July 15, with energy security as the central focus, as Bulgaria explores options for additional gas supplies to Ukraine ahead of next winter that would also serve Bulgarian interests.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister to Brief EU Counterparts
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha was expected to attend the Council in person to update EU counterparts on Ukraine’s immediate needs, as member states continued working toward finalizing the sanctions package.
The 21st sanctions package has faced monthslong delays. Bulgaria first announced it would block the package after Patriarch Kirill was included in the proposed sanctions list, with Italy later raising similar objections.
Bulgaria Backs Ukraine energy plan ahead of Kyiv visit
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