Italy has expressed doubts about the EU sanctions against Patriarch Kirill

Italy has joined Bulgaria in expressing reservations about the possible imposition of European Union sanctions against Kirill, Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. According to media reports, this issue remains under discussion among EU countries.

EU Foreign Affairs Chief Kaja Kallas proposed imposing an EU visa ban on Kirill—an ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin—as part of the 21st package of EU sanctions against Russia.

However, this move has met with opposition from Bulgaria, which has a significant Orthodox population, as well as “reservations”—a diplomatic term meaning concerns that need to be addressed but do not rise to the level of a veto—from Rome.

According to one diplomat, Rome’s concern stems from the Vatican and is linked to a reluctance to impose sanctions on the leader of a Christian denomination. A spokesperson for Italy’s Permanent Representation to the EU declined to comment.

EU diplomats are also discussing a proposal to freeze the price cap on Russian oil sales, which is currently set at $44 per barrel. The proposal from Kallas’s office is to postpone the review of the price cap, which is scheduled for mid-July and will automatically increase if no action is taken.

According to those same diplomats, Greece, Malta, and Cyprus—countries with significant shipping sectors that provide services to Russian vessels—have opposed postponing the review of the price cap. Earlier, Greece and Malta had objected to a proposal to ban the provision of maritime services to Russian vessels, which led to the suspension of consideration of that proposal.

Another point of contention is the proposal to ban former Russian combatants from entering the EU. According to the same diplomats, France and Italy have expressed concern about this.

Politico learned this from three EU diplomats familiar with the discussions.

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