Bulgaria will veto the new European Union sanctions package against Russia, Prime Minister Rumen Radev stated on Thursday, June 18. In his opinion, the new punitive measures could negatively impact the Bulgarian economy. Another reason for his intention, Radev cited disagreement with the proposed sanctions against the head of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) - Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. "There is a significant risk for the operations of Lukoil. We want it (the company - Ed.) to be excluded from the (sanctions - Ed.) list," Rumen Radev told reporters before the European Union meeting in Brussels. As noted by Reuters, Lukoil is one of the largest retailers of motor fuel in Bulgaria and owns the only oil refinery (refinery) in the country, located in Burgas. Additionally, Radev is concerned about disruptions in the supply of spare parts for the Sofia metro and fertilizers. "All these issues should be addressed within the EU decision-making bodies. How have these sanctions stopped the war so far? And how have they helped establish peace at all?" the Prime Minister rhetorically asked. At the same time, he emphasized that his government "will support the negotiation process for Ukraine's accession to the EU." ## ## The European Union Expanded Sanctions Against Russia On June 15, the European Union expanded the scope of sanctions against Russia, adding 34 individuals and 47 legal entities to the restrictive lists. In particular, the punitive measures affected Russian and foreign companies linked to the military-industrial complex, as well as individuals and legal entities engaged in oil exports from Russia, including through the country's "shadow fleet." Among others, the list includes Lukoil-Western Siberia and numerous companies based in Russia, Liberia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Azerbaijan, and Hong Kong. Moreover, the sanctions affected Anatoly Kuzichev, the host of the program "Vremya Pokazhet" on Channel One, as well as the Metropolitan of Simferopol and Crimea, Tikhon (in the world - Georgy Shevkunov), whom the media call the spiritual advisor of Russian President Vladimir Putin.