PM Radev: ‘We will not allow sanctions that reflect negatively on the Bulgarian economy’
We will not allow sanctions that reflect negatively on the Bulgarian economy, Prime Minister Roumen Radev told reporters on June 18, commenting on his government’s opposition to some of the proposed new sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine.
As The Sofia Globe reported at the time, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen put forward the proposed 21st package of sanctions on Russia on June 9.
Politico reported on June 17 that Bulgaria had signalled that it opposes parts of the EU’s 21st Russian sanctions package, according to two diplomats(for Morning Trade subscribers).
Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova confirmed on June 17 that the country’s government opposes some of the proposals – including those on Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill – describing them as “symbolic”.
Radev said that “the time for crusades is over”.
“The war in Ukraine has long gone beyond the trenches and spread to the economy, energy, sports, culture, and now it is starting to affect religions,” he said.
“I’m not interested in the Russian patriarch, I’m interested in the fact that he is the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, which is Eastern Orthodox, like our church.
“I’m interested in all these millions of people who are in this church,” Radev said, when asked if the Russian patriarch was neutral after speaking of a “holy war against the Western neoliberal world.”
“What message are we giving by extending sanctions and war to religion?” Radev said.
“You will find out today how Bulgaria will vote, after I discuss all the specifics with my colleagues,” said Radev, who will participate in the June 18 – 19 European Council meeting in Brussels.
“In what way have these sanctions so far stopped the war? And in what way have they helped peace at all?” he said.
Radev said that it is yet to be analysed how possible sanctions against Lukoil would affect the country. “Today it will become clear what Bulgaria’s position will be in the vote,” he said.
Assen Vassilev, leader of the opposition We Continue the Change party, responded to Petrova’s comments on June 17 by saying:”If there were sanctions against a cleric, perhaps the issue should have been considered, but in this case we are talking about sanctions against Mr. Gundyaev, [Patriarch Kirill] who is a KGB officer.
“So it is quite reasonable to impose sanctions on an officer of the Russian services and I do not see a problem with that ,” Vassilev said.
“It must be clearly given, if it is really about symbolic sanctions, a sign that Russia is the aggressor and Ukraine is a victim in this war,” he said.
“Ukraine was attacked without reason by Russia in violation of international law. And that is precisely why it is sanctioned and Bulgaria supports all the sanctions packages,” Vassilev said.
“As for the rest of the sanctions package, the minister (Petrova) must be very clear about why the European sanctions are being questioned. So far, they have always been in favour of Bulgaria and have not hindered us,” he said
(Photo of Radev: government.bg)
