Bulgaria to Veto Latest EU Sanctions on Russia

Bulgaria has moved to block the European Union's latest sanctions package against Russia. Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that Sofia will exercise its veto on the grounds that the proposed measures could negatively affect the Bulgarian economy.

The main concern centers on the Russian company Lukoil, which operates the country's only refinery and is one of its key fuel suppliers. Radev also cited potential problems with the supply of spare parts for the Sofia metro and fertilizers for agriculture.

He further criticized the inclusion of a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church on the sanctions list, warning against extending the conflict into the religious sphere.

Radev also questioned the effectiveness of sanctions imposed so far, asking whether they had contributed to ending the war. Despite these reservations, Bulgaria has declared its support for joint European decisions on Ukraine, including its EU integration process.

(Reuters, mja)