# An influencer and a bishop among EU-sanctioned pro-Russian actors

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-06-18 13:07 UTC · Category: World

## Executive Summary
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev threatens to veto a new EU sanctions package over the proposed inclusion of Patriarch Kirill.

## Intelligence Brief
The European Union is currently weighing a new round of sanctions targeting various individuals characterized as pro-Russian actors, including an influencer and a bishop. The proposed list has sparked internal disagreement among member states, specifically concerning the inclusion of Russia's Patriarch Kirill.


Coverage from Euronews, The Sofia Globe, and local Bulgarian outlets like BTA and BNR News highlight Prime Minister Rumen Radev’s opposition to the measure. Radev has indicated that Bulgaria will exercise its veto power if the Patriarch is not removed from the list, describing the EU's approach as a crusade against Russia.


Future developments hinge on whether the European Union adjusts the sanctions package to secure Bulgarian support. It remains to be seen if other member states will join in criticizing the proposal or if the bloc will reach a consensus.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| irishsun.com | EU member criticizes blocs latest Russia sanctions proposal | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxNY0kwMTc1TEJURmxLQ1pTOHZ3aWVDbW9uMFFBOFI1TzFheFFaWV9nM1lBeUFqUGFDZ0t5SFd4VmRGUTVjbjNGbkZYOWdJWU9EZ3FxRnZjTnh3eEJWUmFKZ1dadWhOek9uZWVrbEFadm4tbE1DQkhxczlFZVdJdjFUWmhfem96LXBRVllIS0EySkF4WG9yQU5jM2lVTFdtV1Ew?oc=5) |
| The Sofia Globe | Radev threatens Bulgarian veto if Russian Patriarch remains on proposed EU sanctions list | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwgFBVV95cUxOVTV4THVOMEcyUlRmMEJMQzNGVG5XZHRxN1hMb0hraXZMWG85YjZwM3pCMkc1bnBXMFc1V0ZDUWNSTHZkQ2VITWp4RnJJTlVTYXFNejZ4U0pqcUxQSXlQejlLQkh4UWtsZ1l6YVMzbU9NWTN3akppeUJOWVdEckREY1NXSnJLV1FhV0dOaVdUMGRPczNGWFlRR0xiV0lPamZtUjg5TG1yeElaSTd0ODVkQm90UHJLYzYtbzh2LWt1TWliUQ?oc=5) |
| БТА | PM Radev Says Bulgaria Will Veto Russia Sanctions Package Unless Patriarch Kirill Is Removed | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivgFBVV95cUxNZEp2WTRmLS03bVM1ZWx4dklMbGNJaFM3UTY5Y3oxQ1RpY3NFM0Rxc1dKaXZvVXY4LVpZdEMwRnFBZk1idmctZUlUeXdrWXBrN3pOMTE5NVdibWJkVGpQeVhQYlI3bW5xMDhUbHFRQkNVcWxZS3lzTm5kWlZKd2NBd3gxcnc2MlZianp3T3lBU1FTV1hpY1h3TG5VRFlpSjFlWjAzSkFGX2l5bEtnNmNOMGh4YngzeVpaaHhjNm5n?oc=5) |
| Newswav | Bulgarian prime minister opposes EU sanctions on Russia's Patriarch Kirill | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxORF9uWVUzY0NFVG44Zk9md1dkZzhyLVItWHJnYlhaanNjNkZNRGRHWUt4QXhYRHVya2V5dkhWQS1uM1JlQnM5cHhaZ2tfTUNUTnBtRnRGRzV6anpmUGVOSDg1Zms0UWQwUTRRZkVwVl9wMjJaT3dyOVRHTElfWDlmYUQ3TXN3MlI4ZzZObHh0UWNRSnh0cVBfOE9JTjhxeXE0SWhsV3BNdTdqWjQzdUZBYWlyQVlaQQ?oc=5) |
| Euronews | Bulgaria opposes EU sanctions on Russia's Patriarch Kirill | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxOUGR1ZC1SSTBnMm9Sbl9QM0dXS0thTzRlVG9iUW9zTHlnQVV5NUFVNmhDMTR2MmEtczRoaE1XRVdsUWlzT2p4MlFqUVk0MUxVRzBRSjgzVnhRT01SaEtDMm00dUt5TjdUaUh6cHZtbzdOVEtCQ05hUURjNUF1YmZZc2p5SjJZT1FJS1ZmLTFMcGNJOHlFc0FQSVViRGFKQ2VYX1dpNEhzazJ3Y1RHcDlJQk1BN1FwaHBHVVpZ?oc=5) |
| БНР Новини | According to PM Rumen Radev, the EU is leading a crusade against Russia | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipwFBVV95cUxNSE5JYXZkUkRPa0pOeGlKckE0VUR3a0s3VjYtX2VhaEdaM3p4cURncE5rcjBMM2VnWWlPRms5a2JyTEJoLV9QbTVkNUM5aUVNOXZuR09tcDFtOUdlY1A0VEFIRTVqNHVuTF96Z3M5cGVWZmx6OXpLSV80VGcwV0Z0R0pGQWdwNkpkQVdWOUU2ZlVubmJlNF9JYmE2MzBOdXQ0SzB4Y1hNbw?oc=5) |
| Euronews.com | An influencer and a bishop among EU-sanctioned pro-Russian actors | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0gFBVV95cUxNZExTNEd4S28yTno1bmprUmxtemJmWU1xY0M0SkYzZVNGQlNONUNSYi1PaGJ5cjZuMlE5YXZ3ZXZURXgyckliaEk0RXhyTG9EWnN0MXNVZnZPVHF5ZDFGZmxqVGo1SnVDaWJ1Q1ctbGwxeWYycUpVSkJZdTN4RFEzX2gyLW1DQldJYTV1OW1Na1hZLXkyczgtTmJUeS1FcnRNVTdOM0Q1YU9NeE9LT1M2NENYaDZ4cGVuZHVMUDNHZTFVTnFaTWJJLTN6S1NhVEJRbHc?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-06-18/an-influencer-and-a-bishop-among-eu-sanctioned-pro-russian-actors*