Moscow Kirillos is off the EU sanctions list after Bulgaria's defeattranslated

The Patriarch of Moscow, Mr. Cyril after Bulgaria vetoed the proposal during closed-door negotiations, citing religious and cultural reasons. Bulgaria also opposed the blacklisting of Vagit Alekperov, a Russian billionaire with ties to the Kremlin and Lukoil, one of the largest oil companies.

The two names were permanently removed from a draft sanctions package during an emergency meeting of ambassadors on Sunday aimed at reaching a final deal, several diplomats confirmed to Euronews. An overall agreement on the package was not reached, but progress was made towards its completion during the week.

The deletion of the names was widely expected given Bulgaria's firm commitment to veto the measure, a position Prime Minister Rumen Radev had publicly confirmed last month.

A few days ago, the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, stated after his meeting with the Patriarch of Bulgaria, Mr. Daniel that the attitude of…